Willingness to use and preferences for long-acting injectable PrEP among sexual and gender minority populations in the southern United States, 2021–2022: cross-sectional study
Schoenberg, Paige; Edwards, O. Winslow; Merrill, Leland; Martinez, Cristian Acero; Stephenson, Rob; Sullivan, Patrick S.; Jones, Jeb
2023-03
Citation
Schoenberg, Paige; Edwards, O. Winslow; Merrill, Leland; Martinez, Cristian Acero; Stephenson, Rob; Sullivan, Patrick S.; Jones, Jeb (2023). "Willingness to use and preferences for long-acting injectable PrEP among sexual and gender minority populations in the southern United States, 2021–2022: cross-sectional study." Journal of the International AIDS Society 26(3): n/a-n/a.
Abstract
IntroductionLong-acting injectable (LAI) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021. LAI PrEP is more effective than oral PrEP. However, it is not clear whether the groups most at risk of HIV in the United States will use LAI PrEP. Willingness to use LAI PrEP and preference for LAI versus oral PrEP has not been reported for sexual and gender minority (SGM) people in the southern United States, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated. Our goal was to assess willingness to use LAI PrEP and preference for oral versus LAI PrEP among SGM people in the southern United States and to assess differences in willingness by demographics and sexual behaviour.MethodsWe conducted an online, cross-sectional survey of SGM people aged 15–34 years in the southern United States (n = 583). Participants reported willingness to use LAI PrEP and preferences for LAI PrEP versus daily oral PrEP. We assessed bivariate associations and adjusted prevalence ratios for the LAI-PrEP-related outcomes and key demographic and behavioural characteristics.ResultsOverall, 68% of all participants (n = 393) reported being willing to use LAI PrEP that provides protection against HIV for 3 months. Of those, most (n = 320, 81%) indicated a preference for using LAI PrEP, compared to a daily oral pill or no preference. Willingness to use LAI PrEP was more common among transgender and non-binary participants and participants who engaged in condomless anal intercourse in the last 6 months. Hispanic participants were more likely and non-Hispanic Black participants were less likely to report willingness to use LAI PrEP compared to non-Hispanic White participants.ConclusionsWillingness to use LAI PrEP was high among SGM people in the southern United States, although there were some important differences in willingness based on demographic characteristics. Decreased willingness to use LAI PrEP among groups who are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, such as non-Hispanic Black SGM people, could exacerbate existing disparities in HIV incidence. LAI PrEP is an acceptable option among SGM populations in the southern United States, but strategies will be needed to ensure equitable implementation.Publisher
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN
1758-2652 1758-2652
Other DOIs
Types
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
Remediation of Harmful Language
The University of Michigan Library aims to describe library materials in a way that respects the people and communities who create, use, and are represented in our collections. Report harmful or offensive language in catalog records, finding aids, or elsewhere in our collections anonymously through our metadata feedback form. More information at Remediation of Harmful Language.
Accessibility
If you are unable to use this file in its current format, please select the Contact Us link and we can modify it to make it more accessible to you.