Brief communication: Pre-exposure prophylaxis utilization and associated factors among sexually active adolescents and young adults in Soroti city, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the PrEP utilization and associated factors among sexually active adolescents and young adults in Soroti city. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was employed. Descriptive analysis assessed the level of PrEP utilization while multivariate logistic regression assessed associated factors. RESULTS: Of the 421 participants, 61(14%) reported having used PrEP. Factors associated with PrEP utilization included: gender (P-value=0.03), HIV risk awareness (P-value=0.002), stigma (P-value<0.001), and social support (P-value<0.001). CONCLUSION: PrEP utilization among adolescents and young adults in Soroti City is limited. There is need to address the gender and social inequities in accessing and utilizing PrEP for HIV prevention.