Abstract
Background
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat HIV remains a critical global health challenge given its relationship with individual health outcomes and population-level transmission. Given barriers associated with oral ART adherence, and considerations of patients’ preferences, long-acting injectable (LA) ART (cabotegravir + rilpivirine) is under development and has been shown to be non-inferior to daily oral ART in Phase III trials. While most of the trial participants have been men, as LA ART gets closer to becoming available for routine clinical use, it is critical to understand how this option is perceived by women.
Methods
We conducted in-depth interviews with 67 individuals, 53 people living with HIV (PLHIV) and 14 healthcare providers, in 11 sites in the United States and Spain participating in Phase III LA ART trials (ATLAS, ATLAS 2-M and FLAIR). Twenty percent (10/53) of trial participants interviewed were women. Interviews explored patient and provider perspectives and experiences with LA ART, and appropriate candidates and recommendations to support use. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded using thematic content analysis.
Results
Overall, several salient themes emerged regarding participant’s generally positive experiences transitioning from daily oral ART to injectable ART including: the importance of the clinical efficacy of LA ART, the ability to learn to manage injection side-effects over time, and the “freedom” reportedly afforded by LA ART logistically and psychosocially. Women interviewed shared many of the aforementioned positive perceptions of LA ART but also had some unique perspectives. Female participants discussed how LA ART was easier to integrate into their daily lives including managing their multiple roles and responsibilities, which often involved working full-time and taking care of themselves as well as their family and children.
Conclusion
Similar to all participants, female participants had generally positive views of LA ART. However, the gendered nature of their daily lives also led to some unique perspectives on why and how they were satisfied with LA ART that merits further exploration in future research.
Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.
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