Perspectives of Primary Healthcare Workers on HIV Injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): A Scoping Review Protocol

Nomvuselelo Nomzamo Mbatha (), Nomakhosi Mpofana and Dumile Gumede
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Nomvuselelo Nomzamo Mbatha: Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa
Nomakhosi Mpofana: Department of Somatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa
Dumile Gumede: Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: South Africa continues to experience a high HIV prevalence, necessitating innovative prevention strategies aligned with the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), such as cabotegravir (CAB-LA), offers a promising alternative to daily oral regimens. However, the perspectives of primary healthcare workers (PHCWs)—key implementers of this intervention—remain underexplored. This scoping review aims to systematically map existing literature on PHCWs’ knowledge, awareness, perceptions, barriers, facilitators, and implementation experiences related to injectable PrEP within the South African healthcare context. The review will follow the Arksey and O’Malley framework, enhanced by Levac et al., and will be reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted across PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Web of Science, and Google Scholar, without language or date restrictions. The search strategy will employ both controlled vocabulary (e.g., MeSH and CINAHL Subject Headings) and free-text terms. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria will be managed using EndNote X20 and appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) 2018 version. Data will be synthesized thematically and presented narratively and in tabular form. By consolidating PHCWs’ perspectives, this review will identify implementation challenges, training needs, and systemic barriers, informing the development of context-specific strategies for PrEP rollout. The findings are expected to support the design of effective, culturally relevant educational interventions and guide policymakers in strengthening HIV prevention efforts in high-burden settings.

Keywords: perceptions; awareness; injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEp); primary healthcare workers; implementation challenges; healthcare provider perceptions; HIV prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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