Identifying Critical Attributes and Attribute-Levels for a Discrete Choice Experiment on Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Delivery Among Young People in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa

Background Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) was approved for use in South Africa (SA) in 2017. The uptake and adherence of daily oral PrEP has been poor in high-risk populations in SA including adults and young people. We used a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) technique to identify critical attributes and attribute-levels to understand user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP use among young people, including adolescents, in two South African cities. Methods Qualitative data were collected between September and November 2018 from 8 group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with young people aged 13 to 24 years in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Participants were selected based on stratified (gender and age) purposive sampling. Using a semi-structured interview guide, interviewers discussed several attributes (dosing regimen, location, costs, side effects, and protection period) for PrEP access and use. Transcripts were coded to identify context-specific attributes and attribute-levels for delivering oral PrEP in South Africa. The adolescent community advisory board, expert and study team opinions were consulted for the final DCE attributes and levels. Results We enrolled 74 participants: 51% (n=38/74) male, median age of 18.5 [IQR=16-21.25] years, 91% (n=67/74) identified as heterosexual and 49% (n=36/74) had not completed 12th grade education. Using the qualitative data, we identified five candidate attributes including (1) dosing regimen, (2) location to get PrEP, (3) cost, (4) route of administration and (5) frequency. After discussions with experts and the study team, we revised the DCE to include the following five attributes and levels: dosing regime: daily, and on-demand PrEP; location: private pharmacy, public clinic, mobile clinic, ATM); cost: free-of-charge, R50 (~2GBP), R265 (~12GBP); side effects: nausea, headache, rash; and duration of protection: fulltime protection versus when PrEP is used). Conclusions There is limited methodological literature describing the step-by-step process of developing a DCE for PrEP in adolescents, especially in resource-constrained countries. We provide the process followed for the DCE technique to understand user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP among young people in South Africa.