2026-10-12T22:09:43Z
https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai
oai:figshare.com:article/34034941
2026-09-30T17:29:09Z
category_7
category_21
category_64
category_132
portal_5
item_type_3
month_year_09_2026
<p>LAI-ART awareness & acceptability.</p>
Duncan Nyukuri (25145155)
Melanie Abongo (25145158)
Anastacia Mbithi (25145161)
Christine Kundu (20553209)
Kenneth Mutai (3721744)
Reena Chhotala Shah (25145164)
Medicine
Biotechnology
Cancer
Infectious Diseases
two tertiary hospitals
strengthening digital systems
reliable service delivery
promising treatment option
powerful independent predictor
potential side effects
participant &# 8217
p >&# 8220
outside clinical trials
independent statistical effect
analyzed using descriptive
742 &# 8211
659 &# 8211
303 &# 8211
266 &# 8211
support patient monitoring
patient &# 8217
survey participants indicated
potentially improving adherence
implementation strategies focused
kenyatta national hospital
enrollment hospital site
xlink "> overall
kenya &# 8212
patient willingness alone
xlink "> long
xlink ">
effective patient
sectional survey
improving privacy
widely viewed
successful implementation
significant fears
saharan africa
reducing stigma
quantitative data
qualitative data
public facility
private facility
prior awareness
online resources
nearly tripling
logistical challenges
level considerations
level clinics
interest among
inferential statistics
increased awareness
findings suggest
<div>
<p>Background</p><p>Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy offers an alternative to daily oral HIV treatment, potentially improving adherence and reducing stigma. While its adoption has been successful in some settings, evidence on its acceptability in sub-Saharan Africa, outside clinical trials, remains limited.</p>
<p>Methods</p><p>We conducted a mixed-methods study among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in two tertiary hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya—a public facility (Kenyatta National Hospital) and a private facility (Aga Khan University Hospital). A cross-sectional survey of 356 participants assessed awareness, willingness to switch, and predictors of acceptability. In addition, 30 participants took part in three focus group discussions (FGDs) exploring perceptions, concerns, and system-level considerations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically.</p>
<p>Results</p><p>Overall, 72.2% of survey participants indicated a willingness to switch to LAI-ART. In the final adjusted multivariable models, prior awareness of LAI-ART was a powerful independent predictor, nearly tripling a patient’s willingness to switch (aOR = 2.851; 95% CI: 1.742–4.666; p < 0.001). Finding information through online resources (aOR = 2.246; 95% CI: 1.303–3.873; p = 0.004) and missing oral pill doses (aOR = 2.154; 95% CI: 1.266–3.664; p = 0.005) both independently more than doubled a participant’s odds of finding LAI-ART acceptable. Conversely, the enrollment hospital site had no independent statistical effect on acceptability once the analysis controlled for baseline demographics and how often individuals must visit the hospital for care (aOR = 1.188; 95% CI: 0.659–2.141; p = 0.567). Drivers of interest among those willing to switch included reducing pill burden (77.8%), avoiding forgetting doses (55.6%), and improving privacy (45.5%). Despite high baseline acceptability, focus group discussions revealed a state of cautious optimism, driven by significant fears of potential side effects (68.1%), treatment rigidity, and logistical challenges such as travel and clinic access.</p>
<p>Conclusion</p><p>These findings suggest that although LAI-ART is widely viewed as a promising treatment option, its uptake will depend on effective patient-centered communication, increased awareness, trust in the intervention, and reliable service delivery. However, successful implementation in Kenya will require more than patient willingness alone. Health system readiness must be a central consideration, with implementation strategies focused on securing dependable drug supply chains, decentralizing access through county-level clinics, and strengthening digital systems to support patient monitoring, retention, and continuity of care.</p></div>
2026-09-30T17:29:01Z
Dataset
Dataset
10.1371/journal.pone.0320713.t003
https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_p_LAI-ART_awareness_acceptability_p_/34034941
CC BY 4.0