scholarly journals Facilitators and barriers of 2-1-1 HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251917
Author(s):  
Christina Camp ◽  
Parya Saberi

An alternative strategy for men who have sex with men (MSM) experiencing challenges with daily HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) includes 2-1-1 dosing. Understanding 2-1-1 PrEP facilitators and barriers, especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, may guide researchers and healthcare providers in future studies and clinical preparedness. We conducted a national cross-sectional study of MSM in the US who had taken 2-1-1 PrEP to examine facilitators and barriers of this on-demand PrEP dosing option. With the shelter-in-place orders in March 2020, this study was adapted to include questions on how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affected participants’ PrEP use. A total of 140 individuals participated in the survey, 106 of which completed questions pertaining to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The most common reasons for switching from once-daily to 2-1-1 PrEP included having sex less frequently (63.6%) and wanting to take fewer pills (46.4%). Participants reported high medication adherence based on each component of 2-1-1 PrEP dosing (>84%). The most common barriers with 2-1-1 PrEP dosing included unplanned sexual encounters resulting in missing the double-dose pre-sex (43.6%) and trouble remembering doses post-sex (29.3%). Facilitators of the 2-1-1 PrEP dosing strategy included reductions in sexual encounters (63.6%), preference to take fewer pills (46.4%), need to reduce cost (22.1%), and desire to reduce side effects (19.3%). Challenges to receiving PrEP services during the pandemic included obtaining laboratory testing (25.5%) and PrEP refills (either receipt of a refill authorization from a healthcare provider or processing of a refill from the pharmacy) (18.9%). 2-1-1 PrEP is an effective HIV prevention method; therefore, understanding facilitators and barriers of this dosing strategy can result in continuous provision of HIV prevention efforts, particularly during a pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S518-S518
Author(s):  
Jen E Mainville ◽  
Ed Gracely ◽  
Zsofia Szep

Abstract Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective daily oral antiretroviral medication that was approved by the FDA in 2012 and has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV by 95% in real-world studies. Despite this, many healthcare providers are not offering PrEP to their patients who are at risk for HIV. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study among Drexel Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology residents. The survey included questions about experience, knowledge, attitudes toward and barriers to using PrEP. The survey was adapted from previous studies regarding medical providers’ attitudes and knowledge about PrEP (Petroll, 2016; Seifman, 2016; Blumenthal, 2105). A Likert 5-point scale was used for attitude and barriers questions. Results Among 143 participants, 80% specialized in Internal Medicine. 43% of participants were in their first year of training and the mean age (+ SD) was 28.8 + 2. 76% reported never initiating a conversation about PrEP with a patient and only 18% reported ever prescribing PrEP to their patients. 92% reported being very or extremely willing to prescribe PrEP to a male with a current male partner known to be HIV positive. Only 43% of residents reported being moderately likely to prescribe PrEP to a patient coming in for a STI exposure. 68% of residents reported their knowledge about PrEP was a major barrier to prescribing PrEP. Conclusion We found that most residents have minimal experience with prescribing PrEP, and knowledge was identified as the largest barrier. Additional education and a better understanding of PrEP indications is necessary to ensure eligible PrEP patients have access to this highly effective HIV prevention method. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110287
Author(s):  
Robert L. Cooper ◽  
Mohammad Tabatabai ◽  
Paul D. Juarez ◽  
Aramandla Ramesh ◽  
Matthew C. Morris ◽  
...  

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to be an effective method of HIV prevention for men who have sex with-men (MSM) and -transgender women (MSTGWs), serodiscordant couples, and injection drug users; however fewer than 50 000 individuals currently take this regimen. Knowledge of PrEP is low among healthcare providers and much of this lack of knowledge stems from the lack or exposure to PrEP in medical school. We conducted a cross sectional survey of medical schools in the United States to assess the degree to which PrEP for HIV prevention is taught. The survey consisted Likert scale questions assessing how well the students were prepared to perform each skill associated with PrEP delivery, as well as how PrEP education was delivered to students. We contacted 141 medical schools and 71 responded to the survey (50.4%). PrEP education was only reported to be offered at 38% of schools, and only 15.4% reported specific training for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) patients. The most common delivery methods of PrEP content were didactic sessions with 11 schools reporting this method followed by problem-based learning, direct patient contact, workshops, and small group discussions. Students were more prepared to provide PrEP to MSM compared to other high-risk patients. Few medical schools are preparing their students to prescribe PrEP upon graduation. Further, there is a need to increase the number of direct patient contacts or simulations for students to be better prepared.


Author(s):  
Marcos Morais Santos Silva ◽  
Lucia Yazuko Izumi Nichiata ◽  
Nathália Santana Simão ◽  
Regis Alves da Silveira

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze conditions which interfere with adherence to HIV post-sexual exposure prophylaxis. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted in two health care services specializing in HIV/AIDS in São Paulo city. Interviewees included men and women who were eighteen or older, sought care due to consensual sexual relation, and had a recommendation for prophylaxis. The questionnaires which compose the social reproduction index and adherence to prophylaxis were used as parameters. Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests and summation of the employed instrument through programs Excel® and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® were performed. Ethical principles have been respected. Results: Forty-nine users have been identified; their mean age was 34.7 and they were predominantly men (95.9%). Out of these, 83.6% were men who have sex with men. The conditions which correlated with adherence (p<0.05) were taking post-sexual exposure prophylaxis prior to that appointment and continuing to take the medication. Conclusion: Health professionals are responsible for establishing rapport with service users, especially during the first appointment, to contribute to adherence interventions plans.


Author(s):  
Oluwafemi Adeagbo ◽  
Sayward Harrison ◽  
Shan Qiao ◽  
Xiaoming Li

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) living in the United States (U.S.) South are disproportionately affected by HIV and experience significant disparities in HIV incidence, access to HIV care, and prevention across ages and socio-economic statuses. The aim of this commentary is to critically review current literature on the state of PrEP use among BMSM in the U.S. South, including identifying barriers and facilitators to PrEP use in order to inform intervention development. Extant literature shows that despite the documented benefits of PrEP as an effective HIV-prevention method, its uptake among BMSM is limited across the U.S. South. Common barriers to PrEP uptake included stigma, homophobia, mistrust of healthcare systems, negative attitudes from healthcare providers, access and transportation issues, poverty, and misinformation about PrEP. These barriers are likely to have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited access to PrEP and other HIV-prevention programs, such as HIV testing, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and condoms for BMSM are likely increase HIV incidence in this community. Moreover, the rapid expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 period may offer increased opportunity to scale-up PrEP through telehealth interventions, especially if in-person services remain limited due to pandemic precautions. Given the intersectional barriers that limit the access and uptake of PrEP among BMSM, we suggest that tailored programs or interventions that seek to address PrEP disparities among Southern BMSM should adopt intersectional and interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the complex challenges of scaling up PrEP. More studies are needed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on HIV-prevention services among BMSM and to understand how to co-develop—with the BMSM community and healthcare providers—culturally acceptable interventions to reduce the identified challenges using intersectional and interdisciplinary approaches.


2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosie Louise Latimer ◽  
Lenka Vodstrcil ◽  
Vesna De Petra ◽  
Christopher K Fairley ◽  
Tim RH Read ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThere are limited data on the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) coinfection with rectal chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)) and rectal gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG)) infections and few studies examining the prevalence of pharyngeal Mgen in men who have sex with men (MSM). Using transcription-mediated amplification assay, this study aimed to determine the proportion of rectal CT and rectal NG infections in MSM who are coinfected with rectal Mgen, and the proportion of MSM with Mgen detected in the pharynx in order to inform clinical practice.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Australia. Consecutively collected rectal swabs from MSM that tested positive for CT (n=212) or NG (n=212), and consecutively collected pharyngeal samples (n=480) from MSM were tested for Mgen using the Aptima Mycoplasma genitalium Assay (Hologic, San Diego). Samples were linked to demographic data and symptom status.ResultsRectal Mgen was codetected in 27 of 212 rectal CT (13%, 95% CI 9 to 18) and in 29 of 212 rectal NG (14%, 95% CI 9 to 19) samples, with no difference in the proportion positive for Mgen. MSM with rectal CT/Mgen coinfection had more sexual partners than those with rectal CT monoinfection (mean 6 vs 11, p=0.06). MSM with rectal NG/Mgen coinfection were more likely to be HIV-positive than those with rectal NG monoinfection (OR=2.96, 95% CI 1.21 to 7.26, p=0.023). MSM with rectal CT/Mgen coinfection were more likely to be using pre-exposure prophylaxis than MSM with rectal NG/Mgen coinfection (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.65, p=0.002). Pharyngeal Mgen was uncommon and detected in 8 of 464 samples (2%, 95% CI 1% to 3%). Pharyngeal Mgen was associated with having a rectal STI (OR=10.61, 95% CI 2.30 to 48.87, p=0.002), and there was a borderline association with being HIV-positive (p=0.079).ConclusionThese data indicate one in seven MSM treated for rectal CT or rectal NG will have undiagnosed Mgen that is potentially exposed to azithromycin during treatment of these STIs. Rectal Mgen coinfection was associated with specific risk factors which may inform testing practices. Pharyngeal Mgen was uncommon.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document