Barriers and facilitators to uptake and persistence on prep among key populations in Southern Province, Zambia: a thematic analysis.

Background: Especially in high HIV prevalence contexts, such as Zambia, effective biomedical prevention tools are needed for priority populations (PPs), including key populations (KPs), who are at higher risk. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been scaled up nationally in Zambia, but little is known about barriers to PrEP use among specific PPs to date.

Methods: To understand barriers and facilitators to PrEP use in Zambia, we conducted a qualitative case study of PrEP services to PPs including sero-discordant couples (SDCs), female sex workers (FSWs), and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Livingstone.

Patient, Provider, and Health Systems Factors Leading to Lumbar Puncture Nonperformance in Zambia: A Qualitative Investigation of the "Tap Gap".

Lumbar puncture (LP) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostics are critical for evaluating central nervous system infections but are often not conducted, resulting in the "Tap Gap." To investigate patient, provider, and health systems factors contributing to the Tap Gap in Zambia, we conducted focus group discussions with adult caregivers of hospitalized inpatients and in-depth interviews with nurses, clinicians, pharmacy workers, and laboratory staff. Transcripts were independently thematically categorized by two investigators using inductive coding.

A qualitative study of factors resulting in care delays for adults with meningitis in Zambia.

Background: Meningitis causes significant mortality in regions with high comorbid HIV and TB. Improved outcomes are hindered by limited understanding of factors that delay adequate care.

Methods: In-depth interviews of patients admitted to the University Teaching Hospital with suspected meningitis, their caregivers, doctors and nurses were conducted.

Feasibility, Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy of Tikambisane ('Let's Talk to Each Other'): A Pilot Support Group Intervention for Adolescent Girls Living With HIV in Zambia.

Background: In Zambia, 84,959 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15-24 are currently living with HIV. We explored the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-session, curriculum-based support group intervention designed to address key concerns of AGYW living with HIV.

Setting: Urban Zambia.