HIV drug resistance following pre-exposure prophylaxis failure among key populations in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Key populations (KP) are highly vulnerable to HIV acquisition and account for 70% of new infections worldwide. To optimize HIV prevention among KP, the World Health Organization recommends the combination of emtricitabine plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, PrEP failure could be attributed to drug resistance mutations (DRMs) but this is unexplored in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Objectives: We aim to conduct a systematic review that will provide evidence on the prevalence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) following PrEP failure among KP in SSA.
Design: This will be a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods and Analysis: This systematic review will include randomized and non-randomized trials, cohorts, case controls, cross-sectional studies, and case reports evaluating the prevalence of HIVDR following PrEP failure among KP (i.e., gay men and men who have sex with men, female sex workers, transgenders, people who inject drugs, prisoners, and detainees) in SSA. Results will be stratified according to various KP, age groups (adolescents and adults), and geographic locations. Primary outcomes will be "the prevalence of PrEP failure among KP" and "the prevalence of HIVDR after PrEP failure" in SSA. Secondary outcomes would be "the prevalence of DRMs and drug susceptibility" and "the level of adherence to PrEP." A random-effects model will be used to calculate pooled prevalence if data permit and we will explore potential sources of heterogeneity.
Discussion: Our findings will provide estimates of HIVDR following PrEP failure among KP in SSA. In addition, determinants of PrEP failure and driving factors of the emergence of DRMs will also be investigated. Evidence will help in selecting effective antiretrovirals for use in PrEP among KP in SSA.
Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023463862.
(© The Author(s), 2024.)