Published in PLOS One on 2026-05-12, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Florence Gyembuzie Wongnaah, Gilbert Eshun, Mainprice Akuoko Essuman, Collins Adu, Richard Gyan Aboagye
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0347111
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical intervention for preventing HIV acquisition. Using nationally representative data from Ghana, this study examined the factors associated with awareness of and positive attitudes toward PrEP among women of reproductive age.
The study utilised nationally representative data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, with a weighted sample of 13,980 women. The outcome variable was awareness of and positive attitudes toward PrEP, assessed based on whether respondents had heard of PrEP and approved of people taking it to prevent acquiring HIV. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 18, employing a multilevel logistic regression model to examine factors associated with awareness of and positive attitudes toward PrEP. Results were reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Overall, 12.1% (95% CI: 11.1–13.3) of women were aware of PrEP and had positive attitudes toward it. The Ahafo region had the highest proportion of women with awareness of and positive attitudes toward PrEP (21.1% [95% CI: 15.7–27.7]), whereas the Savannah region had the lowest (7.2% [95% CI: 5.3–9.9]). Women with two or more sexual partners had lower odds of being aware of and having positive attitudes toward PrEP (aOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28–0.96) than those with no partner. Women aged 25–29 (aOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.28–2.40), 30–34 (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.14–2.27), 35–39 (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.22–2.32), and 40–44 (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.03–2.12) had higher odds of awareness of and positive attitudes toward PrEP than women aged 15–19 years. Also, higher odds of awareness of and positive attitudes toward PrEP were observed among women who had heard about other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.40–2.28), had secondary (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.06-1.70) and higher education (aOR = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.35–4.55), and listened to radio (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.43), compared with those who have not heard of STIs, those with no education, and those who did not listen to the radio, respectively. Additionally, women from Central (aOR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.76–6.12), Volta (aOR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.63–6.62), Western North (aOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.26–5.29), Ahafo (aOR = 5.02, 95% CI: 2.54–9.91), Bono (aOR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.37–6.02), Bono East (aOR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.56–5.26), Oti (aOR = 5.64, 95% CI: 3.06–10.39), Northern (aOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.10–5.51), Upper East (aOR = 4.17, 95% CI: 2.05–8.50), and Upper West (aOR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.85–7.08) regions had higher odds of awareness of and positive attitudes toward PrEP than those in the Western region.
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider financing & policy desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Florence Gyembuzie Wongnaah, Gilbert Eshun, Mainprice Akuoko Essuman, Collins Adu, Richard Gyan Aboagye. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
Explore connected evidence
- Evidence brief: Self-reported sexually transmitted infections and related symptoms among women in Ghana
- Evidence brief: Prevalence and associated factors of sexually transmitted infections among unmarried undergraduate university students
- Evidence brief: Lifetime HIV testing frequency among women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A DHS-based analysis using zero-inflated negative binomial regression
