Study Objective:- The main objective of the study is to estimate the HIV-1 incidence, retention, and assess uptake and adherence to PrEP among at-risk MSM and TGW enrolled at the 3 MHRC partnering clinics in Kisumu, Nairobi, and Kilifi.

Specific Objective

To determine the HIV-1 incidence and retention, and correlates of HIV-1 acquisition among 800 MSM and TGW in Kilifi, Kisumu, and Nairobi.
To assess uptake and adherence to PrEP administered per NASCOP guidelines.

To determine the prevalence of acute HIV infection in participants reporting symptoms compatible with acute retroviral syndrome at scheduled or interim visits.
This is important because men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa have a 2-4 times higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV than the general male population. This study commenced in October 2019 and in ongoing, the three urban sites involved in the Tatu Pamoja study include Nairobi, Kilifi, and Kisumu.

Despite challenges posed by the Covid Pandemic above the study objectives the study ultimately hopes to demonstrate that young MSM and TGW populations can be engaged and followed for 1 year at 3 counties, by 3 research groups using standardized procedures.