P-69 Perceptions of HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and youth-friendly prevention services among undergraduate students in health-related programmes in Guyana
Author(s):
J Frank
Type Of Study:
- Quantitative
- Observational Study
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: To assess HIV and PrEP knowledge, perceived HIV risk, anticipated stigma, and preferences for youth-friendly HIV prevention and PrEP service delivery models among undergraduate university students enrolled in healthrelated programmes in Guyana.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 180 undergraduate health students at the University of Guyana using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected via paper or tablet-based forms during scheduled classes to maximize response rates. Analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate tests (chi-square and t-tests) to examine associations between knowledge, stigma, and willingness to use or recommend PrEP, disaggregated by gender and year of study.
Results: General HIV knowledge was high, but gaps remained regarding modern prevention principles (U=U) and PrEP indications. Awareness of PrEP was moderate, with anticipated stigma specifically concerns regarding being judged as “promiscuous”identified as a key barrier. Students preferred on-campus clinics (40.0%) and telehealth/pharmacy pick-up (22.2%) over conventional public clinics (12.2%). While 53.3% were willing to use PrEP personally, 70.0% expressed willingness to recommend it to future patients. Willingness was significantly higher among those with greater knowledge and lower anticipated stigma
Conclusion: Future health-programme clinicians in Guyana hold uneven HIV/PrEP knowledge and meaningful levels of anticipated stigma. Students showed clear preferences for more accessible, youth-friendly service models, highlighting a need for targeted curriculum strengthening and service innovations.