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Table 2 Demographic, PrEP Use and Club Participation Characteristics (Listed in order of number of club sessions attended; least to most)

From: “You talk about problems until you feel free”: South African adolescent girls’ and young women’s narratives on the value of HIV prevention peer support clubs

Participant pseudonym, Age range in years

No. of clubs attended

Education/ Employ-ment

Relationship status at start of study

Life-time GBV Experiencea

PrEP acceptor at first visit (yes/delayed)

Self-reported PrEP use and challengesb

PrEP continuation to study endc

Olive, 21–24

0

University student

Partner of > 1 year

Yes

Yes

Generally used PrEP consistently. Missed doses when away from home.

Maintained PrEP use.

Mbali, 21–24

0

University student

Partner of > 1 year

Yes

Yes

PrEP use became easier following disclosure to partner, who was controlling but accepted her use of PrEP.

Maintained PrEP use.

Samu, 18–20

2

University student

Single

Yes

Delayed due to mother’s opposition; became covert user

Inconsistent PrEP use throughout study, especially during periods of sexual abstinence.

Maintained PrEP use.

Lerato, 18–20

2

University student

Partner of < 1 year; separate lover of > 1 year

Yes

Yes

Consistent PrEP use despite lack of support from partner.

Temporarily discontinued with intention to re-start.

Prudence, 18–20

3

University student

Partner of > 1 year

No

Yes

Inconsistent PrEP use and relied on partner to remind her.

Discontinued use when relationship ended.

Pamela, 18–20

4

High school student

Partner of > 1 year

No

Yes

Generally used PrEP consistently. Missed doses when routine changed unexpectedly.

Maintained PrEP use.

Busi, 21–24

4

Completed high school; employed

Partner of > 1 year

Yes

Yes

Generally used PrEP consistently when in relationship. Noted no adherence challenges.

Discontinued use when relationship ended, and risk perceived to be zero. Distance to clinic considered a burden.

Mariam, 18–20

5

Completed high school; employed

Partner of < 1 year

No

Yes

Consistent PrEP use improved over time as usage became more routine.

Maintained PrEP use.

Zanele, 21–24

5

University student

Partner of < 1 year

No

Yes

Inconsistent PrEP use.

Discontinued use when decided to get pregnant. HIV sero-converted a few months after discontinuation.

Thuli, 21–24

5

University student

Partner of > 1 year

Yes

Yes

Inconsistent PrEP use. Wanted a long-acting option.

Maintained PrEP use.

Dudu, 21–24

5

Completed high school; employed

Partner of < 1 year

No

Yes

Consistent PrEP use.

Temporarily discontinued use when became pregnant. Intention to re-start.

Nelisiwe, 18–20

6

Completed high school; employed

Partner of < 1 year

Yes

Yes

Initially an inconsistent PrEP user. Consistent PrEP use improved after first few months.

Maintained PrEP use.

Lillian, 21–24

6

University student

Partner of < 1 year

Yes

Yes

Generally consistent PrEP use. Missed doses when routine changed unexpectedly.

Temporarily discontinued with intention to re-start.

  1. a Our definition of GBV encompasses intimate partner violence (IPV) and also any violence (physical, emotional, sexual and economic) perpetrated by family members, peers and strangers. Includes both past and current experiences
  2. b Data extracted from IDIs and presented as self-reported by participants, not objectively measured
  3. c Refers to time frame of study participation, varying from 12 to 18 months