Public Health Detailing to Promote HIV Pre- and Postexposure Prophylaxis Among Women's Healthcare Providers in New York City

Improving HIV preexposure prophylaxis uptake with artificial intelligence and automation: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To identify studies promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or automation with HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care and explore ways for AI to be used in PrEP interventions.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

We searched in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Research Synthesis database through November 2023; PROSPERO (CRD42023458870). We included studies published in English that reported using AI or automation in PrEP interventions. Two reviewers independently reviewed the full text and extracted data by using standard forms. Risk of bias was assessed using either the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials for randomized controlled trials or an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for nonrandomized studies.

RESULTS

Our search identified 12 intervention studies (i.e., interventions that used AI/automation to improve PrEP care). Currently available intervention studies showed AI/automation interventions were acceptable and feasible in PrEP care while improving PrEP-related outcomes (i.e., knowledge, uptake, adherence, discussion with care providers). These interventions have used AI/automation to reduce workload (e.g., directly observed therapy) and helped non-HIV specialists prescribe PrEP with AI-generated clinical decision-support. Automated tools can also be developed with limited budget and staff experience.

CONCLUSIONS

AI and automation have high potential to improve PrEP care. Despite limitations of included studies (e.g., the small sample sizes and lack of rigorous study design), our review suggests that by using aspects of AI and automation appropriately and wisely, these technologies may accelerate PrEP use and reduce HIV infection.

Impact of HIV preexposure prophylaxis prescriptions on HIV diagnoses in New York City

BACKGROUND

HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven to be efficacious and effective in preventing HIV infections, but few studies have reported its impact in the real world.

METHODS

We conducted an ecological analysis and compared the trends in HIV PrEP prescriptions with the trends in age-adjusted HIV diagnosis rates in New York City (NYC). Joinpoint regression analyses were used to identify any temporal trends in HIV diagnosis rates in NYC.

RESULTS

The number of people filling at least one PrEP prescription in NYC increased from 2551 in 2014 to 35 742 in 2022. The overall age-adjusted HIV diagnosis rate steadily decreased from 48.1 per 100 000 in 2003 to 17.1 per 100 000 in 2022. After the rollout of PrEP, accelerated decreases were detected in some subpopulations including white men [2014-2019 annual percentage change (APC): -16.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -22.7 to -10.0], Asian/Pacific Islander men (2016-2022 APC: -9.8%), men aged 20-29 years (2017-2020 APC: -9.4%) and 40 -49 years (2014-2020 APC: -12.2%), Latino/Hispanic people aged 40-49 years (2015-2020 APC: -13.0%), white people aged 20-29 years (2012-2022 APC: -11.4%) and 40-49 years (2014-2018 APC: -27.8%), and Asian/Pacific Islander people aged 20-29 years (2017-2022 APC: -13.0%).

CONCLUSION

With a high coverage, PrEP can have a long-term impact in reducing HIV infections in a population, but if preexisting social determinants that contribute to racial, ethnic, and gender inequities are not well addressed, the implementation of PrEP can exacerbate these inequalities.

Strategies to Eliminate Inequity in PrEP Services in the US South and Rural Communities

ABSTRACT

Inequity in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care in the US South and rural communities is likely attributed to Social Determinants of Health and structural issues beyond individuals' control. We describe three approaches to modify PrEP care practice models to make access easier-"normalizing," "digitalizing," and "simplifying." "Normalizing" approaches are defined as practice models where medical providers who have access to PrEP candidates prescribe PrEP routinely (e.g., primary care providers, community pharmacists); these approaches are found to be highly applicable in real-world settings. Telehealth and other dHealth tools are examples of "digitalizing" PrEP, and their use has been increasing rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic. "Simplifying" PrEP care (e.g., with HIV self-testing, on-demand PrEP) is highlighted in the most recent World Health Organization PrEP guideline. Identifying, implementing, and scaling up these new strategies can allow PrEP candidates to access it, potentially addressing inequities and promoting HIV risk reduction in the US South and rural communities.