Awareness and acceptability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among students at two historically Black universities (HBCU): a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background Despite young African American adults (ages 18–24) being among the highest risk groups for HIV infection, little is known about their awareness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – a once daily pill shown to be > 90% effective in preventing HIV. To explore awareness and acceptability of PrEP among college students in this demographic, we conducted a survey of attendees at two large historically Black universities (HBCU) in North Carolina. Methods We administered a 14-item questionnaire to students at two HBCUs in North Carolina between February and April 2018. Questions were formatted in a yes/no or multiple choice format. Questionnaire items specifically addressed PrEP awareness and acceptability. Surveys were administered to students at a campus health fair and while transiting the campus student union via iPad. Response to all questions was optional. We fit a logistic regression model to determine association of key demographic determinants with PrEP acceptability and awareness. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4 (SAS, Cary, NC). Results Overall, 210 students participated in the survey, of which 60 completed all survey items as presented. The survey cohort was 75% female, 89% heterosexual and 39% freshmen. The mean age of respondents was 19.8 years (SD: 1.8). Fifty-two percent of survey respondents reported that they were aware of PrEP prior to the time of survey administration. Only 3% of respondents reported that they were on PrEP. The most common sources of information on PrEP were campus health services (24%) and non-social media advertising (15%). Of respondents who were aware of PrEP, 61% reported that they had heard about in the 6 months prior to survey administration, while only 19% say they were aware of it for more than a year. Regarding acceptability of PrEP, 58% of respondents reported that they would take a once a day pill for HIV if they were at risk. Our logistic regression analysis found no statistically significant associations between key demographic factors and PrEP awareness. However, persons who perceived themselves to be at risk for HIV acquisition were more likely to find once daily oral PrEP (relative risk 2.66 (95% CI 1.31–5.42)) as an acceptable prevention strategy than the rest of the survey cohort. Conclusions African American HBCU students are becoming aware of PrEP, and generally perceive the intervention as acceptable and worth consideration.

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The Racial Integration of Historically Black Universities: High Praise for the State of North Carolina

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education ◽

10.2307/2999167 ◽

1999 ◽

pp. 74

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Historically Black ◽

The State ◽

Racial Integration ◽

Black Universities ◽

Historically Black Universities

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The Technology Ownership and Information Acquisition Habits of HBCU Freshmen

10.28945/3113 ◽

2007 ◽

Author(s):

Nicole Buzzetto-More ◽

Retta Sweat-Guy

Keyword(s):

Historically Black ◽

Information Acquisition ◽

American Library Association ◽

The Internet ◽

American Library ◽

Black Universities ◽

Historically Black Universities ◽

Available Resources ◽

Information And Technology

In a world of expanding information and technological resources, there is increasingly a need for a citizenry that is able to access and use information and technology effectively (American Library Association, 2000). An information and technologically literate person should have access to, and be able to use, a host of available resources that include libraries, databases, and the internet in order to retrieve, evaluate, and use information effectively (Weil, 2006). This paper reports the findings of a study conducted at two Historically Black Universities that examined technology ownership and usage, as well as, the information acquisition habits of freshmen.

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Comfort Discussing HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis with Patients Among Physicians in an Urban Emergency Department

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1112 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. S439-S439 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brett Tortelli ◽

Douglas Char ◽

William Powderly ◽

Rupa Patel

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Online Survey ◽

The United States ◽

Emergency Physicians ◽

Primary Care Specialty ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Prep Awareness ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Current Guidelines

Abstract Background HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective but underutilized in the United States. The emergency department offers an opportunity to access at-risk individuals for PrEP referral. While several studies have described provider awareness and acceptance of PrEP, these studies have focused largely on infectious diseases, HIV, and primary care specialty physicians. Thus, PrEP awareness, knowledge, and concerns among emergency physicians remain unknown. We sought to determine provider comfort in discussing PrEP with patients among emergency physicians in Missouri. Methods We conducted an online survey among 88 emergency physicians at Washington University in St. Louis from February 2017 to March 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. The survey included demographics, comfort discussing PrEP, having ever heard of PrEP (awareness), knowledge of the current CDC prescribing guidelines, concerns with use, and knowing local PrEP referral information. The questions were asked on a Likert scale and dichotomously categorized. We evaluated predictors of physician comfort of discussing PrEP with patients using multiple logistic regression. Results Sixty-seven participants completed the survey; 64.1% were faculty. Most (79.1%) were PrEP aware, however, only 23.9% were knowledgeable of current guidelines and 22.7% of referral information. Concerns included lack of efficacy (53.7%), side effects (89.6%), and the selection for HIV resistance (70.1%). Comfort discussing PrEP was 43.3%. When adjusting for the concern of efficacy, having PrEP knowledge (OR: 5.43; CI: 1.19–30.81) and having referral knowledge (OR: 7.82; CI: 1.93–40.98) were significantly associated with comfort in discussing PrEP. Conclusion We found moderate PrEP awareness among emergency physicians, but also high levels of discomfort in discussing PrEP with their patients. Future provider training should include addressing misinformation surrounding the concerns with PrEP use and prescribing, reviewing current guidelines, and providing local referral resources for PrEP patient care. Emergency department settings can facilitate PrEP awareness and referral to care among at-risk patients to help reduce national HIV incidence. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Micro-politics of student participation in university leadership across the historically black universities

World Studies in Education ◽

10.7459/wse/20.1.05 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 67-82

Author(s):

Felix Omal

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Historically Black ◽

Good Governance ◽

Higher Education System ◽

Effective Governance ◽

Black Universities ◽

Institutional Values ◽

Historically Black Universities ◽

The University ◽

South African Higher Education

In the post 1994 South African higher education system, there have been significant moves and achievements at the transformation of higher education institutions. The chief instrument of institutional transformation has been the university governing councils. The key assumption was that transformation of the university council was key to the transformation of the universities. However, over the same period several former historically black universities have experienced periods of unrest and protest. As a result, several of these universities have remained in a state of a risk of protest. This state of tension and uncertainty that characterizes these institutions has made the different stakeholder begin to question their faith and confidence in the institutional values that govern these institutions. This paper argues that participation in leadership is key to effective governance. The paper makes use of the concept of culture within a micro-political framework to generate modes of good governance within such stakeholder institutional environments. To have been able to collect and analyze this kind, the study relied on data collected through documents, interviews and surveys. The paper ends with implications for effective governance in stakeholder governed university environments.

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Skills gap will hinder South African growth plans

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db218411 ◽

2017 ◽

Keyword(s):

Historically Black ◽

South African ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Education Spending ◽

Content Type ◽

Student Protests ◽

Black Universities ◽

Historically Black Universities ◽

Education Levels ◽

Working Class Students

Significance Last month, the budget increased education spending from 296 billion rand (22.8 billion dollars) to 321 billion rand (24.7 billion dollars), remaining constant at 6.8% of GDP and over 20% of total budgeted expenditure. Despite the increase, significant funding and upskilling shortfalls persist. Quality problems at all education levels constrain economic growth and development. Impacts Historically black universities (HBUs) will likely suffer most from any resumption of student protests. University students may push for further measures to ‘decolonise’ curricula. A ‘missing middle’ of poorer middle- and working-class students will have to rely on private-sector funding to attend university. The gap between second-level education provision in the richest (Gauteng) and poorest (Eastern Cape) provinces could widen further.

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The contradictory conceptions of research in Historically Black Universities

Perspectives in Education ◽

10.18820/2519593x/pie.v35i1.10 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Evelyn Muthama ◽

Sioux Mckenna

Keyword(s):

Historically Black ◽

Black Universities ◽

Historically Black Universities

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mHealth versus face-to-face: study protocol for a randomized trial to test a gender-focused intervention for young African American women at risk for HIV in North Carolina

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-018-5796-8 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Felicia A. Browne ◽

Wendee M. Wechsberg ◽

Paul N. Kizakevich ◽

William A. Zule ◽

Courtney P. Bonner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

North Carolina ◽

African American ◽

Randomized Trial ◽

African American Women ◽

Study Protocol ◽

American Women ◽

Face To Face

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859. Same-Day HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Initiation During Drop-in STD Clinic Appointments Is a Safe, Feasible, and Effective Method to Engage Patients at Risk for HIV in PrEP Care

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofy209.044 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. S20-S20 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kevin Kamis ◽

Kenneth Scott ◽

Edward Gardner ◽

Karen Wendel ◽

Grace Marx ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Low Income ◽

Median Income ◽

Navigation Support ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Research Grant

Abstract Background Patients at risk for HIV generally do not have immediate access to PrEP. We hypothesized that by offering free, 30-day PrEP starter packs and navigation support during drop-in STD clinic appointments, individuals would be likely to initiate and continue PrEP. Methods Individuals aged ≥18 years presenting for drop-in appointments in the Metro Denver STD Clinic and indicated for PrEP were eligible for the study. Exclusion criteria were history of renal dysfunction, chronic hepatitis B (HBV), HIV, pregnancy, and indications for postexposure prophylaxis. Eligible individuals were provided PrEP education and offered a free, 30-day PrEP starter pack and navigation support for cost assistance. Participants were tested for creatinine, HBV, HIV, and pregnancy at enrollment, and navigated to an appointment for ongoing PrEP care. Participants’ medical records were reviewed for a minimum of 4 months after enrollment. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to characterize the study population and follow-up. Results From April to October 2017, 100 individuals filled a tenofovir–emtricitabine prescription (figure). Median participant age was 28 years, 98% were male, 53% were non-Hispanic White, 8% non-Hispanic Black, and 34% Hispanic. Median annual income was $24,000, 62% had health insurance, 26% had a primary care provider (PCP), and 50% had a recent bacterial STI. No participants had abnormal baseline creatinine or HBV. 77% completed ≥1 PrEP follow-up visit during the study period; 57% completed their first visit within 31 days. 56% completed a second follow-up visit. No HIV seroconversions were detected during follow-up. Factors significantly associated with attending ≥1 follow-up appointment were age ≥ 30 years, higher income, and having health insurance or a PCP at enrollment. In multivariate logistic regression, only higher income was associated with attending ≥1 follow-up appointment (median income for those with ≥1 follow-up visit vs. no follow-up: $24,960 vs. $14,000, P <0.01). Conclusion Providing immediate access to PrEP during drop-in STD clinic visits is a safe and feasible approach to initiation of PrEP care. Additional resources are needed to support PrEP continuity care, particularly for low-income individuals. Disclosures K. Kamis, Gilead Scienes: Research Coordinator, Research grant. S. Rowan, Gilead Sciences: Investigator, Research grant.

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