Limited Knowledge and Mixed Interest in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Among People Who Inject Drugs

Associations of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) indication, HIV risk perception and unwillingness to use PrEP among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, MD

Background

Perceived HIV risk may impact willingness to initiate PrEP among people who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods

We analyzed baseline data from PrEP eligible PWID in Baltimore, MD. Risk perception was assessed by PWID relative to the average risk of their age group categorized as: higher-than, lower-than, or about average. Participants were informed of PrEP for HIV prevention and asked about their willingness to use daily PrEP. Associations of PrEP indication (categorized as injection risk only vs any sexual risk), perceived HIV risk and non-willingness to use PrEP was assessed using generalized linear models.

Results

Among 489 participants, 61 % were male, 66 % were Black and mean age was 46 years. One-third (35 %) of the participants were aware of PrEP and <1 % had used PrEP in the prior 30 days. Overall, 30 % of PWID reported lower-than-average perceived HIV risk and 18 % reported non-willingness to use PrEP. Participants with injection risk only were more likely (aOR: 2.75; 95 %CI: 1.60 - 4.73) to report having lower-than-average perceived HIV risk compared to those with any sexual risk. Participants with lower-than-average perceived risk were more likely to report non-willingness to use PrEP compared to those with higher perceived risk (adjusted PR: 1.91; 95 %CI: 1.18 - 3.10).

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of PWID eligible for PrEP reported having low risk of HIV acquisition despite being eligible for PrEP. Consistent and tailored PrEP messaging that addresses drug use HIV risk perception may be critical to increasing PrEP uptake among PWID.

Addiction consult service involvement in PrEP and PEP delivery for patients who inject drugs admitted to an urban essential hospital

BACKGROUND

Addiction medicine providers have a key role in HIV prevention amidst rising HIV incidence in persons who inject drugs (PWID). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are vastly underutilized in this population. Inpatient hospitalization represents a potential touchpoint for initiation of HIV prophylaxis, though little research explores the role of addiction providers. Here we describe rates of PrEP/PEP delivery to hospitalized PWID seen by an Addiction Consult Service (ACS) at an urban, essential hospital.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients who were seen by the ACS from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 and had plausible injection drug use. We calculated the proportion of patients who received a new prescription for PrEP/PEP at discharge. We used descriptive statistics to characterize demographics, substance use, reason for admission, and indications for PrEP/PEP. Secondarily, we calculated the monthly proportion of all patients discharged from the hospital with PrEP/PEP who were seen by the ACS compared to those not seen by the ACS.

RESULTS

The average monthly proportion of ACS consults with plausible injection drug use who received PrEP/PEP was 6.4%. This increased from 4.2% in 2020 to 7.5% in 2022. Those seen by the ACS who received PrEP/PEP had high rates of opioid use disorder (97.5%), stimulant use disorder (77.8%), and homelessness (58.1%); over half were admitted for an injection-related infection. The indications for PrEP/PEP were injection drug use only (70.6%), followed by combined injection and sexual risk (20.2%); 71.9% of prescriptions were for PrEP and 28.1% for PEP. Overall, the ACS was involved in 83.9% of hospital-wide discharges with PrEP/PEP prescriptions (n = 242).

CONCLUSIONS

PWID who were seen by the ACS received PrEP/PEP prescriptions at rates exceeding national averages. The ACS was also involved with the care of the majority of admitted patients who received PrEP/PEP at discharge. While PrEP/PEP use for PWID remains low, the inpatient ACS represents a key resource to improve uptake by leveraging the reachable moment of an inpatient hospitalization.

Examining HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) acceptability among rural people who inject drugs: predictors of PrEP interest among syringe service program clients

Rural communities in the US have increasing HIV burden tied to injection drug use, yet engagement in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care has been low among people who inject drugs (PWID). Syringe service programs (SSPs) are widely implemented in Kentucky's Appalachian region, presenting an important opportunity to scale PrEP services. This paper examines PrEP awareness, interest and preferences among PWID attending community-based SSPs in Appalachia. Eighty participants were enrolled from two SSP locations. Eligibility included: ≥ 18 years old, current injection drug use and SSP use, and an indication for PrEP as defined by CDC guidelines. Participants completed a structured baseline interview. Predictors of PrEP awareness, interest and formulation preferences were examined. 38.8% reported baseline awareness of PrEP, 50% expressed high interest in PrEP, and 48.1%reported a preference for injectable PrEP. Significant bivariate predictors of PrEP interest included: current worry about health, higher perceived HIV risk, higher community HIV stigma, and higher enacted substance use stigma in the past year; in the adjusted model, enacted substance use stigma remained significant. Findings demonstrate substantial interest in PrEP among rural PWID. Intrapersonal and social determinant factors were associated with PrEP interest, which suggests the importance of multi-level intervention targets to increase PrEP uptake.

"I Heard of PrEP-I Didn't Think I Needed it." Understanding the Formation of HIV Risk Perception Among People Who Inject Drugs

Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) to prevent HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains extremely low in the United States. West Virginia's rising HIV incidence and highest drug overdose rate in the nation makes it an important locus for opioid use and HIV risk interaction. In this pilot study we pioneered the use of Cultural Theory among PWID to understand HIV-related risk perception arising from four contrasting modes of social organization. Carried out during an HIV outbreak, we explored PrEP uptake qualitatively as a window onto risk perception. Of the 26 interviewees, 18 were HIV- and despite the medication's free availability from the health center where recruitment took place, none had taken PrEP, half considering they were not at risk. Intimate couples who showed characteristics of 'enclaves' considered the boundary around themselves protective against HIV, creating a safe space or 'invisible risk group'. Higher HIV risk was perceived among those who were housed compared to those living homeless. Beliefs about the causation of the local HIV outbreak and the validity of scientific research corresponded with characteristics of the contrasting modes of social organization and the approach is promising for informing public health interventions among PWID.

HIV and hepatitis C virus-related misinformation may contribute to rising rates of infection and suboptimal clinical outcomes among persons with substance use

HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates among persons, who use drugs, have risen during the US overdose crisis. We elicited patient perspectives about these interconnected infections to identify the areas of misinformation that might prevent appropriate management. We used in-depth interviews and thematic analysis of coded data collected from patients (N = 24) at detox and from key informants (N = 10). Seventy-one per cent reported injecting drugs. We found that patient narratives included misinformation about HIV and HCV transmission, natural history and treatment. Some participants thought that activities such as sharing drinkware or food with persons with HIV could lead to infection, while others believed that mainly men who have sex with men were at risk. Despite significant improvements in treatment, some participants still believed that HIV was a fatal condition, while others noted that treatment was only necessary at later stages. Some participants thought that HCV was a common, mild infection that might not need immediate attention, and others stated that individuals who were actively using drugs were ineligible for treatment. The current study exposes a considerable level of misinformation about HIV prevention and about the importance and benefits of HCV therapy. Educational interventions are necessary to counter misinformation identified.

Patterns of daily oral HIV PrEP adherence among people who inject drugs in Ukraine: an analysis of biomarkers

INTRODUCTION

Daily oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is recommended for people who inject drugs (PWID) but coverage is low. The real-life effectiveness of PrEP among PWID is unknown as previous studies were conducted in controlled settings and mainly relied on self-report. Analysis of PrEP metabolites-tenofovir diphosphate (TFVdp) and emtricitabine triphosphate (FTCtp)-offers an objective measure of adherence.

METHODS

To analyse longitudinal patterns of PrEP adherence among PWID in Ukraine, we used data from a community-based implementation trial conducted in Kyiv between July 2020 and March 2021 to test the efficacy of SMS reminders to improve adherence. Among 199 enrolled participants, 156 (78.4%) were retained through 6 months. Based on TFVdp/FTCtp levels assessed at 3 and 6 months, we identified groups with various adherence patterns (adherent at ≥2 doses/week, improved, worsened, non-adherent). Correlates of adherence were analysed using multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Most participants (53.8%, n = 84/156) had no detectable metabolites at both assessments; 7.1% (n = 11/156) were consistently taking ≥2 doses/week; 1.3% (n = 2/156) were consistently taking ≥4 doses/week; 13.5% (n = 21/156) exhibited improved and 21.8% (n = 34/156) had worsened adherence at 6 compared to 3 months. "White coat compliance" (increased dosing prior to assessment) was common. Consistent adherence was associated with SMS reminders, younger age, employment, lower income, longer injection drug use duration, recent high-risk injecting (receptive syringe sharing, using pre-filled syringe, back- or front-loading, container sharing), absence of overdose in the past 6 months, perceived HIV risk through sexual intercourse and higher PrEP self-efficacy. Alcohol consumption was associated with inconsistent PrEP use. Groups with improved and worsened adherence did not differ.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily oral PrEP may not achieve the desired effectiveness among PWID as a standalone intervention, calling for testing of alternative PrEP formulations and innovative integrated risk reduction strategies, especially in the context of HIV epidemics associated with injection drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia and the public health crisis in Ukraine caused by the war with Russia. SMS reminders may be effective among PWID who prioritize PrEP. Our findings offer practical guidance in identifying PWID who are likely to benefit from PrEP and those who need additional support.

PrEP facilitators and barriers in substance use bridge clinics for women who engage in sex work and who use drugs

BACKGROUND

Women who engage in sex work and use drugs (WSWUD) experience disproportionate HIV risks. Substance use treatment bridge clinics offer an opportunity to increase HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery to WSWUD, but research on best practices is lacking. Therefore, we explored facilitators and barriers to PrEP across the PrEP care continuum in these settings.

METHODS

Bridge clinic and affiliated harm reduction health service providers and WSWUD from Boston were recruited using passive and active outreach between December 2021 and August 2022. Participants were invited to take part in semi-structured phone or in-person interviews to explore HIV prevention and PrEP care experiences overall and within bridge clinic settings. Deductive codes were developed based on HIV risk environment frameworks and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model and inductive codes were added based on transcript review. Grounded content analysis was used to generate themes organized around the PrEP care continuum.

RESULTS

The sample included 14 providers and 25 WSWUD. Most WSWUD were aware of PrEP and more than half had initiated PrEP at some point. However, most who initiated PrEP did not report success with daily oral adherence. Providers and WSWUD described facilitators and barriers to PrEP across the steps of the care continuum: Awareness, uptake, adherence, and retention. Facilitators for WSWUD included non-stigmatizing communication with providers, rapid wraparound substance use treatment and HIV services, having a PrEP routine, and service structures to support PrEP adherence. Barriers included low HIV risk perceptions and competing drug use and survival priorities. Provider facilitators included clinical note templates prompting HIV risk assessments and training. Barriers included discomfort discussing sex work risks, competing clinical priorities, and a lack of PrEP adherence infrastructure.

CONCLUSION

WSWUD and bridge clinic providers favored integrated HIV prevention and substance use services in harm reduction and bridge clinic settings. Harm reduction and bridge clinic programs played a key role in HIV prevention and PrEP education for WSWUD. Effective behavioral and structural interventions are still needed to improve PrEP adherence for WSWUD.

Long-acting Injectable PrEP Interest and General PrEP Awareness among People who Inject Drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana Border Metroplex

Long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) could help overcome multilevel challenges to HIV prevention for people who inject drugs (PWID), including those in the binational San Diego-Tijuana metroplex. Yet, general PrEP awareness and interest in LAI-PrEP remain underexplored among PWID. From 2020 to 2021, 562 HIV-negative PWID in San Diego and Tijuana completed surveys assessing general PrEP awareness and interest in oral and LAI-PrEP. Modified Poisson regression examined factors associated with general PrEP awareness. Multinomial logistic regression assessed factors associated with interest in both oral and LAI-PrEP, oral PrEP only, LAI-PrEP only, or neither. General PrEP awareness was low (18%) and associated with experiencing unsheltered homelessness (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-2.33), past 6-month fentanyl injection (APR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.04-2.25), and transactional sex (APR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.06-2.76). Interest in oral PrEP only was most common (44%), followed by LAI-PrEP only (25%) and neither (16%). Compared to the odds of being interested in LAI-PrEP only, the odds of being interested in oral PrEP only were lower among those who were stopped by police (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22-0.65), reported past 6-month fentanyl injection (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.20-0.56), polydrug use (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.86), injecting multiple times daily (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.14-0.46), receptive syringe use (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.19-0.49), and higher perceived HIV risk (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15-0.39). Interest in LAI-PrEP was more common among PWID reporting social and structural factors that could interfere with oral PrEP adherence, suggesting LAI-PrEP implementation could increase PrEP coverage among those most vulnerable to HIV.

How Would You Manage HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in This Patient With Medical Comorbidities? : Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Despite advances in treatment, HIV infection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with more than 30 000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. There are several interventions traditionally used to prevent HIV transmission, but these vary in effectiveness and there are challenges to their implementation. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published initial guidance on the use of antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent transmission of HIV infection in persons at risk based on multiple studies that showed it to be highly efficacious in various populations. It was updated in 2021 to reflect new drug options. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force also recently updated its recommendations for PrEP, which strongly support its use in persons at risk. Despite its well-established effectiveness, the implementation of PrEP in clinical practice has been variable, especially among populations underserved by the medical system and marginalized by society. Fewer than one third of persons in the United States who are eligible for PrEP currently receive it. Here, 2 physicians experienced in HIV PrEP debate how best to identify patients who might benefit from PrEP, how to decide what regimen to use, and how to monitor therapy.

Providing medication for opioid use disorder and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis at syringe services programs via telemedicine: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk for opioid overdose and infectious diseases including HIV. We piloted PARTNER UP, a telemedicine-based program to provide PWID with medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with buprenorphine/naloxone (bup/nx) and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine through two syringe services programs (SSP) in North Carolina. We present overall results from this project, including participant retention rates and self-reported medication adherence.

METHODS

Study participants met with a provider for an initial in-person visit at the SSP, followed by weekly telemedicine visits in month 1 and then monthly until program end at month 6. Participants were asked to start both MOUD and PrEP at initiation but could choose to discontinue either at any point during the study. Demographics and health history including substance use, sexual behaviors, and prior use of MOUD/PrEP were collected at baseline. Follow-up surveys were conducted at 3- and 6-months to assess attitudes towards MOUD and PrEP, change in opioid use and sexual behaviors, and for self-reported medication adherence. Participant retention was measured by completion of visits; provider notes were used to assess whether the participant reported continuation of medication.

RESULTS

Overall, 17 persons were enrolled and started on both bup/nx and PrEP; the majority self-identified as white and male. At 3 months, 13 (76%) remained on study; 10 (77%) reported continuing with both MOUD and PrEP, 2 (15%) with bup/nx only, and 1 (8%) with PrEP only. At 6 months, 12 (71%) remained on study; 8 (67%) reported taking both bup/nx and PrEP, and 4 (33%) bup/nx only. Among survey participants, opioid use and HIV risk behaviors decreased. Nearly all reported taking bup/nx daily; however, self-reported daily adherence to PrEP was lower and declined over time. The most common reason for not continuing PrEP was feeling not at risk for acquiring HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results show that MOUD and PrEP can be successfully administered via telemedicine in SSPs. PrEP appears to be a lower priority for participants with decreased continuation and adherence. Low perception of HIV risk was a reason for not continuing PrEP, possibly mitigated by MOUD use. Future studies including helping identify PWID at highest need for PrEP are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Providing Suboxone and PrEP Using Telemedicine, NCT04521920. Registered 18 August 2020. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04521920?term=mehri%20mckellar&rank=2 .

Continuing Low Awareness and Use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), San Francisco, 2022

Clinical trials provide evidence that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV acquisition including through sharing of injection equipment among people who inject drugs (PWID). However, uptake among many populations at risk for HIV has been slow, particularly among PWID. We examined data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) from San Francisco in 2022 to measure PrEP uptake and identify factors associated with PrEP awareness among PWID. Of 479 PWID with HIV-negative or unknown HIV status, 54.9% were aware of PrEP, 5.9% had discussed PrEP with a healthcare provider, and 1.5% had used PrEP in the past year. Lack of PrEP awareness was associated with being age 50 years and older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.60), being men who have sex with women (vs. men who have sex with men, aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24-0.92), having a disability (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.95), using heroin as their most frequently injected drug (aOR 0.51, 95% CI, 0.34-0.78), not having tested for HIV, HCV, or an STD in the past year (aOR 0.43, 95% CI 0.28-0.64), and not having access to new sterile needles in the past year (aOR 0.28, 95%CI 0.08-1.00). We found negligible change in the awareness and uptake of PrEP among PWID since previously measured in NHBS in 2018. Low PrEP use among PWID may be addressed by increasing provider discussion of PrEP with their PWID patients and clients during routine care, expanding testing for injection-related infections among PWID, and integrating PrEP access into harm reduction programs.

Health, harm reduction, and social service providers' perspectives on the appropriateness and feasibility of peer distribution of HIV self-test kits among people who use drugs

BACKGROUND

People who use drugs (PWUD) experience elevated HIV risk and numerous barriers to facility-based HIV testing. HIV self-testing (HIVST) could circumvent many of those barriers and is acceptable among PWUD, yet HIVST implementation for PWUD is limited. Service providers' perspectives on specific HIVST delivery strategies could help increase availability for PWUD.

METHODS

From April-November 2021, we interviewed 16 health, harm reduction, and social service providers working with PWUD in San Diego, CA. Interviews and rapid thematic analysis explored perspectives on HIVST's utility and appropriateness, as well as the feasibility of and anticipated challenges with specific HIVST delivery strategies, including peer or secondary distribution.

RESULTS

Participants viewed HIV as a significant threat to PWUD health and confirmed the presence of numerous barriers to local facility-based HIV testing. Participants viewed HIVST as a promising and potentially empowering solution. Based on community familiarity with secondary distribution of harm reduction supplies (i.e., naloxone) and information, participants viewed secondary distribution of HIVST kits as an appropriate and feasible strategy for increasing the reach of HIVST, but also described potential barriers (e.g., engaging socially disconnected individuals, ensuring linkages to services following HIVST) and provided suggestions for alternative HIVST kit delivery models (e.g., harm reduction vending machines).

CONCLUSIONS

Service providers viewed secondary distribution of HIVST kits among PWUD as promising, appropriate, and feasible, yet specialized efforts may be needed to reach the most marginalized individuals and ensure consistent provision of educational information and referral supports that maximize the impact of this approach.

Facilitators and Barriers to PrEP Acceptability and Initiation Among Opioid Treatment Program Patients and Staff

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for people who use drugs, yet uptake remains low. This study explores the acceptability and potential uptake of PrEP among participants in an opioid treatment program (OTP). We conducted 26 in-depth, semistructured interviews with staff and patients at an OTP in Baltimore, Maryland. Overall, participants felt that providing PrEP within the program would be beneficial, but they noted competing priorities among populations engaging in high-risk behaviors and lack of willingness among groups with lower risk behaviors. Participants reported several barriers to PrEP use among people who use drugs and who use medications for opioid use, including cost, competing priorities, stigma, and misconceptions about who should use PrEP. Facilitators to PrEP use were described as health benefits, trusted relationships with providers, and existing resources in the opioid treatment program. Practitioners should consider addressing barriers to access and stigma within an OTP setting for HIV prevention tools.

Attitudes and Intentions toward Use of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among Adults Receiving Treatment for Opioid Use

Background: Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV, little is known about PrEP awareness and factors associated with intention to take PrEP among people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Methods: HIV-negative adults recruited from an outpatient treatment program in Cincinnati, Ohio completed self-administered surveys. Items derived from literature and health behavioral theory included demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, HIV prevention practices, PrEP knowledge, and attitudes toward PrEP. Primary outcomes were 1) intention to ask a clinician about PrEP and 2) intention to accept PrEP if recommended by a clinician. Outcomes were dichotomized into higher vs. lower intention for analyses in logistic regression models. Results: Among 198 participants, 60.3% reported past injection drug use. Among 58 participants (29.3%) meeting criteria for PrEP, 24% were aware of PrEP, 15.5% had discussed it with a clinician, and 5% had taken it. Factors associated with intention to ask a clinician about PrEP included being somewhat confident about consistent condom use (p < 0.01), motivation to comply with normative beliefs (p < 0.01), and reporting that PrEP fits very well (p < 0.01) and is easy to fit (p < 0.01) into current prevention practices. Factors associated with intention to accept PrEP if recommended by a clinician included motivation to comply with normative beliefs (p < 0.01) and PrEP being easy to fit into current prevention practices (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Among participants meeting indications for PrEP, only 24% were aware of it and few had taken it. Interventions that normalize PrEP and target incorporating PrEP into current prevention practices may improve uptake among individuals with OUD.

Willingness to use and distribute HIV self-testing kits among people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region

BACKGROUND

HIV self-testing (HIVST) could increase HIV testing access among people who inject drugs (PWID), and secondary distribution (i.e., peer-delivery) of HIVST kits in PWID social networks could further expand coverage. We assessed willingness to use and distribute HIVST kits among PWID in the San Diego-Tijuana border region.

METHODS

From 2020 to 2021, HIV-negative PWID in San Diego, USA, and Tijuana, Mexico, completed surveys and provided data on individual (N = 539) and social network (N = 366) characteristics. We used modified Poisson regression to examine the effects of individual and social network characteristics on willingness to use and distribute HIVST kits.

RESULTS

Most participants were willing to use (81%) and distribute (81%) HIVST kits. At the individual level, prior HIV testing was positively associated with willingness to use (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.40) and distribute (aPR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.12-1.43) HIVST kits, while perceiving oneself to be at higher HIV risk than others was negatively associated with willingness to use HIVST kits (aPR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.74-0.93). At the network level, willingness to distribute HIVST kits was positively associated with network size (aPR = 1.04 per member, 95% CI 1.01-1.08) and greater proportions of one's network encouraging them to use drugs (aPR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.44) and having a history of homelessness (aPR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.31-1.74) or detention/arrest (aPR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.36-1.82), and negatively associated with a greater proportion of one's network including "very close" persons (aPR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

We found high potential for HIVST kits and their secondary distribution to increase HIV testing among PWID who face the greatest barriers to facility-based testing.

State same-sex marriage policies and pre-exposure prophylaxis implementation among men who have sex with men in the United States

INTRODUCTION

More than 70% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States were among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2019. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a transformative innovation for reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Structural stigma against sexual minorities, including in the form of state-level policies, may affect PrEP implementation. We evaluated whether lower structural stigma reflected by earlier year of state same-sex marriage legalization was associated with increased male PrEP prescriptions and male PrEP-to-need ratio (PnR), a ratio of PrEP prescriptions to new HIV diagnoses.

METHODS

We used 2012-2019 AIDSVu data on male PrEP prescriptions and male PnR in each US state and year. We used generalized estimating equations to evaluate the relationship between the timing of implementing state same-sex marriage policies and the outcomes of male PrEP prescriptions per 100,000 people and the male PnR. We adjusted for calendar year, Medicaid expansion and the political party of the governor in each state.

RESULTS

State implementation of same-sex marriage policies in earlier, relative to later, periods was associated with increases in the rate of male PrEP prescriptions and in the male PnR. Specifically, implementing state same-sex marriage policies between 2004 and 2011 and between 2012 and 2013 were each associated with greater rates of male PrEP prescriptions relative to implementing same-sex marriage policies between 2014 and 2015. Implementing state same-sex marriage policies between 2004 and 2011 as well as between 2012 and 2013 were both significantly associated with a greater male PnR relative to implementing same-sex marriage policies between 2014 and 2015. By 2019, the difference in male PrEP prescriptions was 137.9 (97.3-175.5) per 100,000 in states that implemented same-sex marriage in 2004-2011 and 27.2 (23.3-30.5) per 100,000 in states that implemented same-sex marriage from 2012 to 2013, relative to states that implemented same-sex marriage in 2014-2015.

CONCLUSIONS

Earlier implementation of state same-sex marriage policies was associated with greater rates of male PrEP prescriptions. Reducing state-level structural stigma may improve HIV prevention among MSM in the United States.

Challenges to Providing Integrated HIV Prevention in Substance Use Treatment Settings: Frontline Staff Perspectives on HIV and Sex-Related, Education, Communication and Stigma

INTRODUCTION

Substance use treatment settings can play a critical role in ending the HIV epidemic. Community-based methadone clinics are potentially useful sites to offer biomedical HIV prevention, but little is known about how clinicians and other clinic staff communicate with patients about sexual behavior and HIV-related topics.

METHODS

Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted at two methadone clinics in Northern New Jersey. Participants included medical providers (physicians, RNs, DNPs), methadone counselors, intake coordinators, lab technicians, and other auxiliary staff members. Results: Three major themes were identified: (1) HIV education is primarily provided by external organizations, (2) there is limited staff-patient communication around HIV and sexual behaviors, and (3) HIV stigma is prevalent among staff and patients.

CONCLUSION

To implement PrEP in methadone treatment settings, clinic staff must be able to engage in non-judgmental communication about HIV and sex with patients. Additionally, federal and state funding for HIV prevention in substance use treatment settings must be prioritized to enable clinics to access the necessary training and resources.

Uptake of and intention to use oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV among pregnant and post-natal women in Eswatini: a cross-sectional survey

Introduction

In Eswatini, HIV incidence among women of childbearing age is 1.45%. Eswatini introduced oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in 2016 and requires that all HIV-negative pregnant and post-natal women (PPW) visiting health care facilities be offered PrEP.

Methods

Between September-November 2021, we conducted a survey among HIV-negative PPW from 16 purposively selected healthcare facilities in the Hhohho and Shiselweni regions in Eswatini. We interviewed consenting HIV-negative PPW using a structured questionnaire to collect data on PrEP knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and practices, as well as information on partner HIV status and stigma. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of PrEP use and intention, adjusted for significant covariates.

Results

Of 1,484 PPW women approached, 1,149 consented and were interviewed, of whom 704 (61.3%) were post-partum and 445 (38.7%) pregnant. The median age was 25 years [Interquartile Range (IQR) = 21-30 years], with 533 (46.4%) 18-24 years old. Among the 1,149 women, 930 (80.7%) had ever heard about PrEP; 635 (55.3%) had knowledge about PrEP; 183 (15.9%) were currently using PrEP; and 285 (24.8%) had ever used PrEP. Increased odds of PrEP use were associated having HIV-positive male partner (aOR:7.76, 95%CI 3.53- 17.04); positive attitudes to PrEP (aOR:1.56, 95%CI: 1.02-2.40); and high self-efficacy (aOR:1.49, 95%CI:1.13-1.98). Among 864 women who never used PrEP, 569 (65.3%) intended to use PrEP in the future. Odds of intention to use PrEP were higher among women with low levels of education (aOR:2.23, 95% CI: 1.32-3.77); who ever heard about PrEP (aOR:1.69, 95%CI: 1.12-2.56); and had high self-efficacy (aOR:1.57, 95%CI: 1.31-1.87). Regarding stigma, among all women, 759 (66%) either agreed or strongly agreed that people would think they have HIV if they were to use PrEP; 658 (57.3%) reported they would be labelled as having multiple sex partners; 468 (40.7%) reported that their partner would think they are having risky sex with other people. Of 102 women who had discontinued PrEP, a majority stopped due to side effects 32 (35.2%).

Conclusion

Only about 50% of women had knowledge of PrEP, and PrEP uptake among PPW was low, though intention to use appeared high. More efforts to reduce stigma and promote PrEP use, including adequate information on side effects, are needed.

Provider Implicit Bias in Prescribing HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to People Who Inject Drugs

BACKGROUND

Multiple HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) have occurred in the USA since 2015, highlighting the need for additional HIV prevention tools. Despite high levels of need, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is drastically underutilized among PWIDs. Implicit bias toward PWID held by clinicians may impede PrEP scale-up among these underserved patients. This study examined how primary care providers' (PCPs) clinical decisions related to PrEP can be impacted by biases when the patient has a history of substance use.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey of PCPs (n = 208). The survey included the implicit association test (IAT) to assess unconscious attitudes toward PWIDs, direct questions regarding clinicians' explicit PWID attitudes, and an embedded experiment in which we systematically varied the risk behavior of a hypothetical patient and asked PCPs to make clinical judgments.

RESULTS

A minority (32%) of PCPs reported explicit PWID bias. The IAT indicated strong implicit PWID bias (meant IAT score = 0.59, p < .0001) among 88% of the sample. Only 9% of PCPs had no implicit or explicit PWID bias. PWID patients were judged as less likely to adhere to a PrEP regimen, less responsible, and less HIV safety conscious than heterosexual or gay male patients. Anticipated lack of adherence mediated PCPs' intent to prescribe PrEP to PWID.

CONCLUSIONS

PCPs' bias may contribute to PrEP being under-prescribed to PWID. Implicit and explicit PWID biases were common in our sample. This study illustrates the need to develop and test tailored interventions to decrease biases against PWID in primary care settings.

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Mobile Phone Application to Support HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Women with Opioid Use Disorder

Despite evidence supporting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectiveness, very few women with opioid use disorder (OUD) take PrEP. Interventions that improve medication assisted treatment (MAT) uptake and adherence may also be beneficial for PrEP. The reSET-O mobile phone app is a component of the evidence-based Therapeutic Education System, which improves retention and abstinence for people with OUD. To better understand use of this mobile health tool as a support for PrEP among women with OUD, pre-implementation contextual inquiry is needed. Therefore, we set out to assess target user characteristics, implementation barriers, feasibility, and acceptability of reSET-O. We recruited women with OUD receiving care from a community-based organization in Philadelphia to complete semi-structured interviews. All participants were prescribed reSET-O. We interviewed 20 participants (average age 37 years; 70% white, 15% Hispanic, 5% Black) from 5/2021 to 2/2022. We used an integrated analysis approach combining modified grounded theory and implementation science constructs. Half reported recent injection drug use, and 6 were taking buprenorphine. Mental health symptoms were common, and half described engaging in transactional sex. The majority expressed strong interest in PrEP. Participants reported the app would be highly acceptable for PrEP and MAT adherence support, but only two redeemed the prescription. The most common barriers included phone and internet access. Our findings highlight potential implementation challenges for the use of such an app to support PrEP use in this population. Poor uptake of the app at follow-up indicates that initial prescription redemption is a major barrier to reSET-O implementation.

Peer recovery coaching for comprehensive HIV, hepatitis C, and opioid use disorder management: The CHORUS pilot study

Introduction

Amidst a surge in HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in persons who use drugs, medications that effectively prevent HIV and treat opioid use disorder and HCV remain underutilized.

Methods

We developed a 6-month peer recovery coaching intervention (brief motivational interviewing followed by weekly virtual or in-person coaching) and collected data on uptake of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and HCV treatment. The primary outcomes were intervention acceptability and feasibility.

Results

At a Boston substance use disorder bridge clinic, we enrolled 31 HIV-negative patients who used opioids. Participants reported high intervention satisfaction at 6 months (95% "satisfied" or "very satisfied"). At study completion, 48% of the participants were on MOUD, 43% who met CDC guidelines were on PrEP, and 22% with HCV were engaged with treatment.

Conclusions

A peer recovery coaching intervention is feasible and acceptable, with positive preliminary findings regarding MOUD, PrEP and HCV treatment uptake.

A Novel Capacity-Strengthening Intervention for Frontline Harm Reduction Workers to Support Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Awareness-Building and Promotion Among People Who Use Drugs: Formative Research and Intervention Development

BACKGROUND

HIV prevalence among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Baltimore, Maryland, is higher than among the general population. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a widely available medication that prevents HIV transmission, yet its usefulness is low among PWUD in Baltimore City and the United States. Community-level interventions to promote PrEP uptake and adherence among PWUD are limited.

OBJECTIVE

We describe the development of a capacity-strengthening intervention designed for frontline harm reduction workers (FHRWs) to support PrEP awareness-building and promotion among PWUD.

METHODS

Our study was implemented in 2 phases in Baltimore City, Maryland. The formative phase focused on a qualitative exploration of the PrEP implementation environment, as well as facilitators and barriers to PrEP willingness and uptake, among cisgender women who use drugs. This work, as well as the existing literature, theory, and feedback from our community partners, informed the intervention development phase, which used an academic-community partnership model. The intervention involved a 1-time, 2-hour training with FHRWs aimed at increasing general PrEP knowledge and developing self-efficacy promoting PrEP in practice (eg, facilitating PrEP dialogues with clients, supporting client advancement along a model of PrEP readiness, and referring clients to PrEP services). In a separate paper, we describe the conduct and results of a mixed methods evaluation to assess changes in PrEP-related knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and promotion practices among FHRWs participating in the training.

RESULTS

The pilot was developed from October to December 2021 and implemented from December 2021 through April 2022. We leveraged existing relationships with community-based harm reduction organizations to recruit FHRWs into the intervention. A total of 39 FHRWs from 4 community-based organizations participated in the training across 4 sessions (1 in-person, 2 online synchronous, and 1 online asynchronous). FHRW training attendees represented a diverse range of work cadres, including peer workers, case managers, and organizational administrators.

CONCLUSIONS

This intervention could prevent the HIV burden among PWUD by leveraging the relationships that FHRWs have with PWUD and by supporting advancement along the PrEP continuum. Given suboptimal PrEP uptake among PWUD and the limited number of interventions designed to address this gap, our intervention offers an innovative approach to a burgeoning public health problem. If effective, our intervention has the potential to be further developed and scaled up to increase PrEP awareness and uptake among PWUD worldwide.

"I've been 95% safe": perspectives on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis at a drug detoxification center: a qualitative study

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) decreases human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition among persons who inject drugs (PWID); however, its uptake has been suboptimal. We explored HIV risk perceptions and PrEP interest among drug detoxification center patients in the context of the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic. We conducted in-depth interviews of patients (n = 24) and professional key informants (n = 10 physicians, case managers, nurses, and harm reduction educators), and thematic analysis of coded data. The mean age of participants (patients) was 37 years; 54% identified as male and 67% as White. Although 71% reported injecting drugs and 62% had condomless sex in the past 6 months, participants had mixed HIV risk perceptions, and some viewed PrEP as an undesirable indicator of elevated HIV risk. Nevertheless, many participants viewed drug detoxification as a first step towards embarking on a "healthier lifestyle," with some narratives identifying opportunities for delivering PrEP information and services in this setting. Opportunities exist to expand PrEP at drug detoxification centers, but initiatives are needed to educate patients and staff on indications and benefits of this prevention tool. Interventions are also needed to determine the best strategies for implementing PrEP adoption in this setting.

The perspectives of street-involved youth who use drugs regarding the acceptability and feasibility of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a qualitative study

Street-involved youth who use drugs (YWUD) face an elevated risk of HIV acquisition and represent a key population for HIV prevention initiatives, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, little is known regarding the acceptability and feasibility of PrEP uptake and adherence among this multiply-marginalized population. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 street-involved YWUD (ages 17-24) to examine their perspectives toward PrEP; youth were recruited through a longitudinal prospective cohort study in Vancouver, Canada. Youth reported high levels of ambivalence toward PrEP despite engagement in HIV-related risk behaviors. This ambivalence was driven by misperceptions regarding HIV transmission, including stigmatizing associations between HIV transmission and personal hygiene. Such misperceptions led participants to enact strategies that were ineffective in preventing HIV transmission. Participants contested their inclusion as a "key population" for PrEP, which limited their enthusiasm for PrEP uptake and adherence. Participants also highlighted that wider social-structural inequities (e.g., housing vulnerability, poverty) that produced HIV-related risks were likely to undermine sustained PrEP use. Findings demonstrate the need for tailored implementation strategies to increase PrEP acceptability, including targeted education and anti-stigma interventions to increase awareness about HIV transmission. Interventions should also target structural inequities in order to fully address HIV risk and PrEP ambivalence.

Study protocol for an efficacy trial of the "PrEP for Health" intervention to increase HIV PrEP use among people who inject drugs

BACKGROUND

HIV incidence has recently increased among people who inject drugs (PWID) across the United States, with outbreaks occurring in states with long-standing syringe service programs (SSPs) including Massachusetts (MA). Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an evidence-based HIV prevention strategy recommended for PWID, but uptake in this marginalized population is extraordinarily low.

METHODS

We describe the design and procedures for a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded (R01) randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the efficacy of "PrEP for Health," a multicomponent behavioral intervention to increase PrEP uptake, adherence, and persistence among HIV-negative PWID attending SSPs in two areas of the U.S. Northeast that are heavily affected by injection-related HIV transmission. Participants are equally randomized to receive the "PrEP for Health" intervention (involving individually tailored HIV and PrEP education, motivational interviewing, problem-solving skills and planning, and ongoing navigation support) or an enhanced standard of care (eSOC) control condition involving a brief educational video on the utility of PrEP for HIV prevention. Co-primary outcomes are PrEP uptake (using medical/pharmacy records) and adherence (using tenofovir quantification in hair samples); a secondary outcome is PrEP persistence (using medical/pharmacy records) over 12 months. Major assessments occur at baseline, 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up visits. Planned analyses will examine intervention efficacy, specific hypothesized conceptual mediators of the intervention effect (e.g., self-perceived HIV risk; PrEP knowledge, interest in use, motivation, and behavioral skills) and epidemiologically linked moderators (e.g., age; gender; condomless vaginal or anal sex).

DISCUSSION

Findings from our extensive preliminary research with the study population revealed that a multicomponent, theory-based intervention targeting PrEP knowledge, motivation, self-efficacy, behavioral skills, and structural barriers to PrEP access is urgently needed for PWID who are at risk of HIV acquisition. We also learned that SSPs represent a highly acceptable service setting for delivering such interventions. In this study, we are evaluating the efficacy of the "PrEP for Health" intervention. If efficacious, findings from our implementation evaluation could help guide its dissemination to diverse SSPs and possibly other community-based settings accessed by this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04430257, registered June 12, 2020.

Patient and Provider Perspectives on a Novel, Low-Threshold HIV PrEP Program for People Who Inject Drugs Experiencing Homelessness

BACKGROUND

HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs (PWID) and experience homelessness are increasing across the USA. Despite high levels of need, multilevel barriers to accessing antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention persist for this population. The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) initiated a low-threshold, outreach-based program to support engagement in PrEP services among PWID experiencing homelessness.

METHODS

To inform dissemination efforts, we explored patient and provider perspectives on key program components. From March to December 2020, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with current and former BHCHP PrEP program participants and prescribers, patient navigators, and outreach workers (i.e., providers). Thematic analysis explored perspectives on key program components.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 21) and providers (n = 11) identified the following five key components of BHCHP's PrEP program that they perceived to be particularly helpful for supporting patient engagement in PrEP services: (1) community-driven PrEP education; (2) low-threshold, accessible programming including same-day PrEP prescribing; (3) tailored prescribing supports (e.g., on-site pharmacy, short-term prescriptions, medication storage); (4) intensive outreach and navigation; and (5) trusting, respectful patient-provider relationships.

DISCUSSION

Findings suggest that more patient-centered services formed the basis of BHCHP's innovative, successful PrEP program. While contextual challenges including competing public health emergencies and homeless encampment "sweeps" necessitate ongoing programmatic adaptations, lessons from BHCHP's PrEP program can inform PrEP delivery in a range of community-based settings serving this population, including syringe service programs and shelters.

Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness and Acceptability Among Persons who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Kenya: A Qualitative Investigation

Background

People who inject drugs (PWID) are disproportionately affected by HIV despite the availability of multiple efficacious biomedical prevention interventions including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Little is known about the knowledge, acceptability, and uptake of oral PrEP among this population in Kenya. To inform the development of oral PrEP uptake optimization interventions for PWID in Kenya, we conducted a qualitative assessment to establish oral PrEP awareness and willingness to take PrEP by this group in Nairobi City.

Methodology

Guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model of health behavior change, we conducted 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) among randomly constituted samples of PWID in four harm reduction drop-in centers (DICs) in Nairobi in January 2022. The domains explored were: perceived risks (behaviour), oral PrEP awareness and knowledge (capability), motivation to use oral PrEP (behaviour), and perceptions on community uptake (motivation and opportunity). Completed FGD transcripts were uploaded to Atlas.ti version 9 and thematic analysis was conducted through an iterative process of review and discussion by two coders.

Findings

There was a low level of oral PrEP awareness with only 4 of the 46 PWID having heard of PrEP; only 3 out of 46 participants had ever used oral PrEP and 2 out of 3 were no longer using it, indicating a low capacity to make decisions on oral PrEP. Most study participants were aware of the risk posed by unsafe drug injection and expressed willingness to take oral PrEP. Nearly all participants demonstrated low understanding of the role oral PrEP plays in complementing condoms in HIV prevention, presenting an opportunity for awareness creation. While the PWID were eager to learn more about oral PrEP, they favored DICs as places where they would like to obtain information and oral PrEP if they chose to use it, identifying an opportunity for oral PrEP programming interventions.

Conclusion

Creation of oral PrEP awareness among PWID in Kenya is likely to improve uptake since the PWID are receptive. Oral PrEP should be offered as part of combination prevention approaches, and effective messaging through DICs, integrated outreaches, and social networks are recommended to mitigate displacement of other prevention and harm reduction practices by this population.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Record STUDY0001370.

Contingency Management and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Support Services (CoMPASS): A hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation study to promote HIV risk reduction among people who inject drugs

BACKGROUND

HIV disproportionally affects persons who inject drugs (PWID), but engagement with HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is low. We describe the rationale and study design for a new study, "Contingency Management and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Adherence Support Services (CoMPASS)," a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial to promote HIV risk reduction among PWID.

METHODS

In four community-based programs in the northeastern United States, PrEP-eligible PWID (target n = 526) are randomized to treatment as usual or Contingency Management (CM) and, as indicated, stepped up to PrEP Adherence Support Services (CoMPASS) over 24 weeks. During CM sessions, participants receive timely tangible rewards for verifiable activities demonstrating 1) PrEP initiation and adherence, and 2) engagement with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and other OUD-related care. Participants who do not have high levels of biomarker-confirmed PrEP adherence at week 12 will be stepped up to receive PrEP Adherence Support Services (PASS) consisting of strengths-based case management over 12 weeks. Interventions are delivered by trained PrEP navigators, staff embedded within the respective sites. The primary outcome is sustained PrEP adherence by dried blood spot testing at 24 weeks. To inform future implementation, we are conducting implementation-focused process evaluations throughout the clinical trial.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this protocol are anticipated to yield novel findings regarding the impact and scalability of CoMPASS to promote HIV prevention among PWID in partnership with community-based organizations. http://ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04738825.

Efficacy of Daily Text Messaging to Support Adherence to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among Stimulant-Using Men Who Have Sex with Men

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) who use stimulants are at increased risk for HIV infection. Adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces the risk of HIV infection. We evaluated the efficacy of the individualized Texting for Adherence Building (iTAB) intervention for PrEP adherence compared to standard of care (SoC) among 119 MSM who use stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine and/or other amphetamine) from the California Collaborative Treatment Group 595 randomized control trial.Method: Three ordered levels of PrEP adherence (non-adherence, adequate adherence, and near-perfect adherence) were compared between intervention arms across study visits (weeks 12 and 48) using ordinal logistic regressions.Results: The effect of intervention arm was not significant in the final model; however, there was a 38% decrease in odds (OR = 0.62, p=.023) of having near-perfect adherence (versus non-adherence or adequate adherence) at week 48 compared to week 12, indicating a significant effect of time. In a follow-up analysis examining week 48 only, logistic regression examining PrEP adherence showed that receiving iTAB (compared to SoC) trended toward higher odds of near-perfect adherence relative to adequate adherence (OR = 2.48, p=.061). Higher HIV knowledge resulted in higher odds (OR = 1.72, p=.020) of near-perfect adherence (versus non-adherence or adequate adherence).Conclusion: HIV knowledge may influence PrEP adherence, and most notably, the iTAB intervention may support near-perfect adherence relative to adequate adherence.

"We want everything in a one-stop shop": acceptability and feasibility of PrEP and buprenorphine implementation with mobile syringe services for Black people who inject drugs

INTRODUCTION

A recent surge in HIV outbreaks, driven by the opioid and stimulant use crises, has destabilized our progress toward targets set forth by Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America for the high-priority community of people who inject drugs (PWID), particularly Black PWID.

METHODS

In order to ascertain the acceptability and feasibility of using a mobile syringe services program (SSP) for comprehensive HIV prevention via PrEP and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), our mixed methods approach included a quantitative assessment and semi-structured qualitative interviews with Black PWID (n = 30) in Miami-Dade County who were actively engaged in mobile syringe services.

RESULTS

Participants felt that delivery of MOUD and PrEP at a mobile SSP would be both feasible and acceptable, helping to address transportation, cost, and stigma barriers common within traditional healthcare settings. Participants preferred staff who are compassionate and nonjudgmental and have lived experience.

CONCLUSIONS

A mobile harm reduction setting could be an effective venue for delivering comprehensive HIV prevention services to Black PWID, a community that experiences significant barriers to care via marginalization and racism in a fragmented healthcare system.

Qualitative inquiry into perceptions of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among people who inject drugs living with hepatitis C in Seattle, WA, USA

BACKGROUND

The incidence of HIV among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in the USA has been increasing since 2014, signaling the need to identify effective ways to engage PWID in HIV prevention services, namely pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Yet, the uptake of PrEP in this population is minimal compared to other populations at risk of HIV acquisition. In this work, we sought to explore knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of PrEP acceptability among PWID.

METHODS

In the context of a pilot study to explore the acceptability of pharmacy-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, we conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 24) and focus groups (n = 4, 16 participants) with people who were living with HCV and reported active injection drug use (≤ 90 days since last use). Participants were asked open-ended questions about their familiarity with and motivation to use PrEP. As part of a sub-analysis focused on PrEP, qualitative data were analyzed using a Rapid Assessment Process, where three coders used structured templates to summarize qualitative data and iteratively reviewed coded templates to identify themes. Participants also completed short quantitative questionnaires regarding drug use history and attitudes toward health concerns.

RESULTS

Forty-seven percent of participants expressed having little or no concern regarding HIV acquisition. Targeted analyses focused on HIV prevention identified three themes, which help characterize behavioral determinants of nonadoption. First, knowledge of PrEP was limited among PWID and influenced by infrequent open community discussions around HIV risk. Second, PWID perceived sexual behaviors-but not injection drug use-as a motivator for HIV risk prevention. Finally, PWID identified many individual and environmental barriers that hinder PrEP uptake.

CONCLUSION

Among PWID, PrEP is rarely discussed and concerns about the feasibility of using daily PrEP are common. Taken with the prevalent perception that drug use is not a high risk for HIV acquisition, our findings point to opportunities for public health work to target PrEP education to PWID and to leverage other successful interventions for PWID as an opportunity to provide PrEP to this vulnerable population.

HIV Exposure Prophylaxis Delivery in a Low-barrier Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic during a Local HIV Outbreak at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES

People who inject drugs (PWID) may experience high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk and inadequate access to biomedical HIV prevention. Emerging data support integrating HIV post-exposure and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP, PrEP) into services already accessed by PWID. We describe PEP/PrEP eligibility and receipt in a low-barrier substance use disorder bridge clinic located in an area experiencing an HIV outbreak among PWID at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of new patients at a substance use disorder bridge clinic in Boston, MA (January 15, 2020-May 15, 2020) to determine rates of PEP/PrEP eligibility and prescribing.

RESULTS

Among 204 unique HIV-negative patients, 85.7% were assessed for injection-related and 23.0% for sexual HIV risk behaviors. Overall, 55/204 (27.0%) met CDC criteria for HIV exposure prophylaxis, including 7/204 (3.4%) for PEP and 48/204 (23.5%) for PrEP. Four of 7 PEP-eligible patients were offered PEP and all 4 were prescribed PEP. Thirty-two of 48 PrEP eligible patients were offered PrEP, and 7/48 (14.6%) were prescribed PrEP. Additionally, 6 PWID were offered PrEP who lacked formal CDC criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Bridge clinics patients have high rates of PEP/PrEP eligibility. The majority of patients with identified eligibility were offered PEP/PrEP, suggesting that upstream interventions that increase HIV risk assessment may support programs in initiating PEP/PrEP care. Additional work is needed to understand why patients declined PEP/PrEP. PrEP offers to PWID who did not meet CDC criteria also suggested provider concern regarding the sensitivity of CDC criteria among PWID. Overall, bridge clinics offer a potential opportunity to increase biomedical HIV prevention service delivery.

Acceptability of injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis among people who inject drugs in three urban U.S. settings

Background

Outbreaks of new HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) are a major public health concern. Oral daily PrEP, has been identified as a critical addition to the biomedical toolkit for this population. However, limited research on the acceptability of long-acting injectable PrEP has been conducted with this population.

Methods

We conducted a cross sectional multi-site survey with 1127 participants from May 2019–February 2020 to assess the acceptability of novel PrEP regimens. We computed bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions to evaluate correlates of the outcome variable: acceptability of 3-month injectable-PrEP. SAS v.9.4 was used to conduct statistical analysis.

Results

Limited knowledge of or use of PrEP, past or present, was evident within the sample. Injection drug use in the past six months was significantly associated with LA injectable PrEP acceptability, with the odds of acceptability being 1.885 (CI: 1.376, 2.582) times greater than those who did not inject drugs. After adjusting for confounders, injection drug use was significantly associated with the outcome, such that the odds of acceptability of LA injectable PrEP were 1.705 (CI: 1.198, 2.427) times greater among PWID compared to those who did not inject drugs (p < 0.03). The results demonstrate acceptability (38.2%) in a durable (3-month) injectable PrEP modality among participants who also identified as PWID.

Conclusions

PrEP promotion efforts among PWID to increase access to long-acting injectable PrEP are necessary. Through efforts to increase acceptance and regular use of long-acting injectable PrEP, public health strategies may be able to effectively lessen chances of future HIV outbreaks among PWID.

Determinants of Implementation for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Based on an Updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Delivery and use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are suboptimal in the United States. Previous reviews of barriers and facilitators have not used an implementation science lens, limiting comprehensiveness and the link to implementation strategies. To summarize the state of the science, we systematically reviewed determinants of PrEP implementation using the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR 2.0).

SETTING

PrEP-eligible communities and delivery settings in the United States.

METHODS

In January 2021, we searched Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles related to HIV/AIDS, interventions, implementation, and determinants or strategies. We identified 286 primary research articles published after 1999 about US-based PrEP implementation. Team members extracted discrete "mentioned" and "measured" determinants, coding each by setting, population, valence, measurement, and CFIR 2.0 construct.

RESULTS

We identified 1776 mentioned and 1952 measured determinants from 254 to 239 articles, respectively. Two-thirds of measured determinants were of PrEP use by patients as opposed to delivery by providers. Articles contained few determinants in the inner setting or process domains (ie, related to the delivery context), even among studies of specific settings. Determinants across priority populations also focused on individual patients and providers rather than structural or logistical factors.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest substantial knowledge in the literature about general patient-level barriers to PrEP use and thus limited need for additional universal studies. Instead, future research should prioritize identifying determinants, especially facilitators, unique to understudied populations and focus on structural and logistical features within current and promising settings (eg, pharmacies) that support integration of PrEP into clinical practice.

Prevalence of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Prescribing Among Persons With Commercial Insurance and Likely Injection Drug Use

Importance

Although HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation among persons who inject drugs has been inadequate, national HIV monitoring programs do not include data on PrEP, and specific trends in PrEP use are not well understood.

Objective

To estimate HIV PrEP uptake among commercially insured persons with opioid or stimulant use disorder by injection drug use (IDU) status.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used deidentified data from the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database to identify a sample of 547 709 commercially insured persons without HIV but with opioid and/or stimulant use disorder, including 110 592 with evidence of IDU between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed from November 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021.

Exposures

Persons with opioid and/or stimulant use disorder and evidence of IDU were identified through claims data.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The outcome was receipt of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine for PrEP as identified from filled pharmacy claims. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of demographic and clinical characteristics with receipt of PrEP.

Results

The study cohort included 211 609 (28.6%) females and 336 100 (61.4%) males with a combined mean (SD) age of 34.8 (13.1) years, including 110 592 individuals with evidence of IDU. During the study period, 508 (0.09%) persons with opioid and/or stimulant use disorder, including 170 (0.15%) with evidence of IDU, received PrEP. Receipt of PrEP increased from 0.001 to 0.243 per 100 person-years from 2010 through 2019 among the entire cohort and from 0.000 to 0.295 per 100 person-years among those with IDU. In multivariable analysis, PrEP use was more likely among males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.72; 95% CI, 6.39-11.89), persons with evidence of IDU (aOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21-1.79), and persons with evidence of sexual risk indications for PrEP (aOR, 23.68; 95% CI, 19.57-28.66).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of commercially insured persons with opioid and/or stimulant use disorder, HIV PrEP delivery remained low, including among those with evidence of IDU. PrEP should be consistently offered alongside substance use disorder treatment and other harm reduction and HIV prevention services.

Long-Acting Injectable Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Preferred Over Other Modalities Among People Who Inject Drugs: Findings from a Qualitative Study in California

People who inject drugs (PWID) have extraordinarily low uptake of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) despite high levels of need. Long-acting PrEP modalities hold promise for HIV prevention among PWID, but product preferences remain poorly understood. From September to November 2021, we conducted qualitative interviews with 28 HIV-negative, adult (≥18 years) PWID in San Diego County, CA, to explore their perspectives on daily oral PrEP pills and long-acting PrEP modalities (i.e., injections, implants, intravaginal rings, and broadly neutralizing antibodies), which we explained using standard scripts. Thematic analysis identified variations in PrEP modality interest and acceptability. We identified three key factors across the 28 interviews that appeared to influence PrEP modality preferences: perceived convenience of use, invasiveness, and familiarity (based on past experience). Overall, most participants preferred injectable PrEP over other modalities because they viewed injectable medications as convenient, noninvasive, and familiar. While injectable PrEP was recently approved for use in the United States and was most the acceptable PrEP modality in this sample, our findings suggest that intervention and implementation research is urgently needed to improve our understanding of strategies that could support access, uptake, and sustained adherence to longer-acting PrEP for PWID.

Barriers to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake Among Online Male Sex Workers in the US

Though barriers to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have received substantial research attention, less is known about what factors may be affecting PrEP uptake among male sex workers (MSWs), a population at high risk of HIV. This paper presents qualitative findings regarding why a subsample of MSM engaged in exchange sex (receiving money, drugs, shelter, or other goods in exchange for sex) with partners they met on dating/hookup websites and apps had never used PrEP. Analysis revealed several barriers to PrEP uptake including lack of awareness and knowledge about PrEP, scientific and medical concerns, issues related to individual risk perception and beliefs/preferences about risk management, practical and logistical barriers, and provider-level barriers. Nuances to these barriers are discussed, particularly as they relate to the specific type of sex work participants were engaged in. Implications for interventions are also discussed.

Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial comparing two linkage models for HIV prevention and treatment in justice-involved persons

Background

Persons involved in the justice system are at high risk for HIV and drug overdose upon release to the community. This manuscript describes a randomized controlled trial of two evidence-based linkage interventions for provision of HIV prevention and treatment and substance use disorder (SUD) services in four high risk communities to assess which is more effective at addressing these needs upon reentry to the community from the justice system.

Methods

This is a 5-year hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial that compares two models (Patient Navigation [PN] or Mobile Health Unit [MHU] service delivery) of linking justice-involved individuals to the continuum of community-based HIV and SUD prevention and treatment service cascades of care. A total of 864 justice-involved individuals in four US communities with pre-arrest histories of opioid and/or stimulant use who are living with or at-risk of HIV will be randomized to receive either: (a) PN, wherein patient navigators will link study participants to community-based service providers; or (b) services delivered via an MHU, wherein study participants will be provided integrated HIV prevention/ treatment services and SUD services. The six-month post-release intervention will focus on access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those without HIV and antiretroviral treatment (ART) for people living with HIV (PLH). Secondary outcomes will examine the continuum of PrEP and HIV care, including: HIV viral load, PrEP/ ART adherence; HIV risk behaviors; HCV testing and linkage to treatment; and sexually transmitted infection incidence and treatment. Additionally, opioid and other substance use disorder diagnoses, prescription, receipt, and retention on medication for opioid use disorder; opioid and stimulant use; and overdose will also be assessed. Primary implementation outcomes include feasibility, acceptability, sustainability, and costs required to implement and sustain the approaches as well as to scale-up in additional communities.

Discussion

Results from this project will help inform future methods of delivery of prevention, testing, and treatment of HIV, HCV, substance use disorders (particularly for opioids and stimulants), and sexually transmitted infections for justice-involved individuals in the community.

Trial registration: Clincialtrials.gov NCT05286879 March 18, 2022.

PrEP Care Continuum Engagement Among Persons Who Inject Drugs: Rural and Urban Differences in Stigma and Social Infrastructure

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that prevents HIV acquisition, yet PrEP uptake has been low among people who inject drugs. Stigma has been identified as a fundamental driver of population health and may be a significant barrier to PrEP care engagement among PWID. However, there has been limited research on how stigma operates in rural and urban settings in relation to PrEP. Using in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 57) we explore PrEP continuum engagement among people actively injecting drugs in rural and urban settings. Urban participants had more awareness and knowledge. Willingness to use PrEP was similar in both settings. However, no participant was currently using PrEP. Stigmas against drug use, HIV, and sexualities were identified as barriers to PrEP uptake, particularly in the rural setting. Syringe service programs in the urban setting were highlighted as a welcoming space where PWID could socialize and therefore mitigate stigma and foster information sharing.

Relationships among Substance Use, Sociodemographics, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness and Related Attitudes among Young Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for two-thirds of new HIV diagnoses. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly efficacious HIV preventive medication, is underutilized. Identifying correlates of PrEP awareness and attitudes may help increase PrEP use. Thus, we evaluated (1) PrEP awareness; (2) differences in awareness related to substance use and sociodemographics; (3) initial PrEP information sources; and (4) possible associations between information sources and PrEP-related attitudes.

Young adult (ages 18-30) HIV-negative MSM from Southern U.S. undertook a web survey including questions about substance use, sexual behaviors, perceived HIV risk, and PrEP. Participants were recruited using in-person and online approaches between January 2018-January 2020.

Of 506 participants, 89% were aware of PrEP. Participants with high alcohol consumption and greater perceived HIV risk had higher odds of PrEP unawareness with a trend for minority race/ethnicity. PrEP-aware participants reported high overall perceived safety, confidence in PrEP's efficacy, and low perceived difficulties with adherence though those with higher perceived HIV risk and individuals who used tobacco had less favorable attitudes. Most participants first heard about PrEP from the internet. There were no statistically significant differences in PrEP-related attitudes across initial information sources.

Associations between substance use and racial/ethnic minority status and lack of PrEP awareness suggest priority subgroups for educational campaigns. Future campaigns may tailor outreach materials to the respective audience (e.g., Spanish materials for Hispanic people) and disseminate where individuals who use substances may be more likely to see them (e.g., liquor and convenience stores).

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2022.2040030 .

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Barriers, Facilitators and Unmet Need Among Rural People Who Inject Drugs: A Qualitative Examination of Syringe Service Program Client Perspectives

BACKGROUND

People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk for HIV infection, yet in rural areas PWID are understudied with respect to prevention strategies. Kentucky is notable for heavy rural HIV burden and increasing rates of new HIV diagnoses attributable to injection drug use. Despite high need and the strong evidence for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as a gold-standard biomedical HIV prevention tool, scale up has been limited among PWID in Kentucky and elsewhere. This paper explores individual, environmental, and structural barriers and facilitators of PrEP care from the perspective of PWID in rural Kentucky.

METHODS

Data are drawn from an ongoing NIH-funded study designed to adapt and integrate a PrEP initiation intervention for high-risk PWID at point of care in two rural syringe service programs (SSPs) in southeastern Kentucky. As part of this initiative, a qualitative study guided by PRISM (Practical, Robust, Implementation, and Sustainability Model) was undertaken to gather SSP client perspectives on intervention needs related to PrEP, competing needs related to substance use disorder, as well as tangible supports for and barriers to PrEP uptake. Recruitment and interviews were conducted during September-November 2021 with 26 SSP clients, 13 from each of the two SSP sites. A semi-structured guide explored injection behaviors, SSP use, knowledge of PrEP, perceived barriers to PrEP, as well as aspects of the risk environment (e.g., housing instability, community stigma) that may impact PrEP uptake. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and verified by project staff. A detailed coding scheme was developed and applied by independent coders using NVivo. Coded transcripts were synthesized to identify salient themes in the data using the principles of thematic analysis All study procedures were approved by the University IRB.

RESULTS

Participants were 96% white, 42% female, with a median age of 41 years (range 21-62); all reported injection use within the past month. Overall, we found low PrEP awareness among this sample, yet interest in PrEP was high, with several indicating PrEP is urgently needed. Clients reported overwhelmingly positive experiences at the SSPs, considering them trusted and safe locations to receive health services, and were enthusiastic about the integration of co-located PrEP services. Lack of basic HIV and PrEP knowledge and health literacy were in evidence, which contributed to common misperceptions about personal risk for HIV. Situational risks related to substance use disorder, particularly in the context of withdrawal symptoms and craving, often lead to heightened HIV injection and sexual risk behaviors. Stigma related to substance use and HIV arose as a concern for PrEP uptake, with several participants reflecting that privacy issues would impact their preferences for education, prescribing and monitoring of PrEP. Noted tangible barriers included inconsistent access to phone service and transportation. Primary supports included high levels of insurance coverage, consistent pharmacy access, and histories with successful medication management for other health conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Drawing on the critical perspectives of people with substance use disorder, our findings provide important and actionable information on individual and environmental barriers and facilitators of PrEP uptake among rural PWID at high risk for HIV infection. These data will drive the adaptation and implementation of a client-centered approach to integrated PrEP care within rurally located SSP settings to address unmet needs for PrEP care.

Awareness and Correlates of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among HIV-negative People Who Access Syringe Services in Seattle, Washington

BACKGROUND

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and effective for use in people who inject drugs (PWID), but PrEP is underutilized in this population. We assessed awareness of PrEP and correlates of interest in PrEP among PWID in Seattle, Washington.

METHODS

This study analyzed data from a 2019 survey of PWID at 3 Seattle-area syringe service programs (SSPs). We used descriptive statistics to compare PrEP-aware and unaware PWID and multivariable Poisson regression with robust standard errors to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) for interest in PrEP.

RESULTS

Among 348 HIV-negative PWID, ≤1% were currently taking PrEP, 51% were PrEP aware and 46% were interested in PrEP. Interest in PrEP was inversely associated with prior PrEP awareness (APR 0.58, 95% CI 0.45 - 0.74); however, interest in PrEP was high among PWID meeting pre-specified risk criteria for HIV (APR 1.41, 95% CI 1.06 - 1.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest increasing awareness of PrEP may not be sufficient to promote PrEP uptake among PWID, and further efforts are needed to understand perceptions of risk for HIV, determinants of PrEP use, and to investigate successful strategies for PrEP implementation and delivery in this marginalized population.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.2012688 .

Awareness and willingness to use HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis among people who inject drugs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A cross-sectional survey

People who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk of HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could help in HIV prevention among PWIDs. However, little is known about PrEP use among PWIDs in low and middle-income countries. This study reports the awareness of and willingness to use PrEP and the associated factors among PWID in Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to recruit PWIDs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Chi-square statistical test was used during data analysis. The P-value of < 0.05 was used to ascertain the statistically significant relationship. IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 was used to analyze the data. The analysis consisted of 260 PWIDs. The mean age of the respondents was 39.0 years with a standard deviation (SD) of ±7.5. Most of the respondents were male (n = 232, 89.2%) with primary education (n = 176, 67.7%). Despite the low awareness of PrEP (n = 42, 165.28%) in the study sample, the majority (n = 239, 91.9%) were willing to use PrEP. Both awareness of and willingness to use PrEP were associated with gender (p = .002 and p = < .001), awareness of HIV prevention programs(p = < .001 and p = .006), selling sex (p = .010 and p = .021), and frequency of condomless sexual intercourse (p = .029 and p = .025) respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, only gender(p = 0.046) was related to awareness of PrEP while awareness of HIV prevention programs (p = 0.009), the risk level of HIV infection(p = < .001), number of sexual partners(p = 0.046), and frequency of condomless sex(p = 0.032) were associated with willingness to use PrEP. Other factors were not statistically significant. Despite low awareness, PWIDs are highly willing to use PrEP. Future research should assess the acceptability of injectable PrEP for PWID, as their acquaintance with injection may make the formulation more practical.

The HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis continuum of care among women who inject drugs: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

People who inject drugs have a substantial risk for HIV infection, especially women who inject drugs (WWID). HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly-effective HIV prevention drug, is uncommonly studied among WWID, and we aimed to synthesize existing knowledge across the full PrEP continuum of care in this population.

METHODS

We systematically searched for peer-reviewed literature in three electronic databases, conference abstracts from three major HIV conferences, and gray literature from relevant sources.Eligibility criteria included quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods studies with primary data collection reporting a PrEP-related finding among WWID, and published in English or Spanish between 2012 and 2021. The initial search identified 2,809 citations, and 32 were included. Data on study characteristics and PrEP continuum of care were extracted, then data were analyzed in a narrative review.

RESULTS

Our search identified 2,809 studies; 32 met eligibility requirements. Overall, awareness, knowledge, and use of PrEP was low among WWID, although acceptability was high. Homelessness, sexual violence, unpredictability of drug use, and access to the healthcare system challenged PrEP usage and adherence. WWID were willing to share information on PrEP with other WWID, especially those at high-risk of HIV, such as sex workers.

CONCLUSIONS

To improve PrEP usage and engagement in care among WWID, PrEP services could be integrated within gender-responsive harm reduction and drug treatment services. Peer-based interventions can be used to improve awareness and knowledge of PrEP within this population. Further studies are needed on transgender WWID as well as PrEP retention and adherence among all WWID.

Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable chronic disorder with episodes of remission and recurrence characterized by loss of control of opioid use, compulsive use, and continued use despite harms. If untreated, OUD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Buprenorphine and methadone reduce fatal and nonfatal opioid overdose and infectious complications of OUD and are the first-line treatment options. Physicians have an important role to play in diagnosing OUD and its comorbidities, offering evidence-based treatment, and delivering overdose prevention and other harm reduction services to people who continue to use opioids. Interdisciplinary office-based addiction treatment programs support high-quality OUD care.

Suboptimal uptake, retention, and adherence of daily oral PrEP among people with OUD receiving HCV treatment

Background

Daily oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) prevents human immunodeficiency (HIV) among people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite rising HIV incidence and injection drug use (IDU), PrEP use remains low and there is limited research about uptake, adherence, and retention among PWID.

Methods

The ANCHOR investigation evaluated a community-based care model collocating hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), and PrEP in individuals in Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland. PrEP counseling was conducted from HCV treatment day 0 until week 24. Subjects could start any time during this window, were followed for 48 weeks, and were assessed for adherence by self-report and dried blood spot TDF analysis.

Results

One hundred ninety-eight participants were enrolled, of whom 185 (93%) were HIV negative. Twenty-nine individuals (15.7% of HIV-negative cohort) initiated PrEP. One hundred sixteen participants (62.7%) met 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PrEP criteria due to IDU (82 [44.3%]), sex (9 [4.9%]), or both practices (25 [13.5%]). Providers recommended PrEP to 94 individuals (50.8%), and recommendation was associated with PrEP uptake. Median treatment duration was 104 days (interquartile range, 28–276 days), with 8 participants retained through week 48. Adherence was variable over time by self-report and declined by TDF analysis. No HIV seroconversions occurred.

Conclusions

This cohort of people with HCV and OUD experienced low uptake of PrEP despite the majority meeting CDC criteria. High rates of disruption and discontinuation, compounded by variable adherence, made TDF/FTC a suboptimal prevention strategy. Emerging modalities like long-acting formulations may address these barriers, but PWID have been excluded from their development to date.

Considerations for the Design of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Interventions for Women: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of a Novel PrEP Intervention

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among women in the United States has been low. To increase uptake, we developed a peer outreach and navigation PrEP intervention. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 32 cisgender women and 3 transgender women were conducted to assess the intervention. We used a thematic approach to identify barriers to, and facilitators of the intervention. Facilitators included interest in PrEP, offer of health and social services, the intervention’s women-focused approach, and peer outreach and navigation. Barriers were perceived HIV risk, concerns about medication side effects or interactions, housing insecurity and travel, co-occurring health-related conditions, and caregiving responsibilities. We recommend that future interventions consider packaging PrEP in local community settings, such as syringe exchange programs; include services such as food and housing assistance; use peers to recruit and educate women; integrate a culturally appropriate women’s focus; and consider providing same-day PrEP.

Urban Sexual Health Clinic Patients With "Undetermined Risk" for HIV Are Less Likely to Receive Preexposure Prophylaxis

BACKGROUND

New diagnoses of HIV increasingly occur among people who fall outside traditional transmission risk categories. This group remains poorly defined, and HIV prevention efforts for this group lag behind efforts for patients in other risk groups.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of patient visits at sexual health clinics in Boston, MA, over a 14-month period. Patients were classified into Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-defined HIV transmission risk categories. We compared frequencies of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) indications, and PrEP prescriptions. Predictors of HIV or STI among patients in the undetermined risk category were assessed with logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 4723 clinic visits during the study period. Patients in the undetermined risk group constituted the largest proportion (55.8%), followed by men who have sex with men (MSM; 42.7%). The proportion of visits by patients in the undetermined risk group with an indication for PrEP was low (28.0%) compared with MSM (91.3%) and MSM who also inject drugs (93.8%); however, the absolute number was high (737). Among patients with an indication for PrEP, those in the undetermined risk group were least likely to receive a prescription. Behavioral risk factors were poorly predictive of STI or HIV among patients in the undetermined risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with undetermined risk for HIV constituted a large proportion of clinic visits and had a large volume of sexual health needs but rarely received PrEP when indicated. To end the HIV epidemic in the United States, prevention efforts must include people who fall outside traditional risk categories.

Living at the Confluence of Stigmas: PrEP Awareness and Feasibility Among People Who Inject Drugs in Two Predominantly Rural States

We explored knowledge, beliefs, and acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention with reference to stigma among people who inject drugs (PWID) in two predominately rural U.S. states. We conducted interviews with 65 current or former PWID aged 18 years or older and living in Arizona or Indiana. Most (63%) of the interviewees were not aware of PrEP. They often confused PrEP with HIV treatment, and many believed that PrEP was only for sexual risk or gay sexual risk. Once they understood that PrEP was recommended for PWID, the participants held a positive view of PrEP and felt that a once-daily pill was feasible. Experiences of stigma about drug use remained a crucial barrier to accessing healthcare and PrEP. This was often linked with anticipated or expressed homophobia. PrEP interventions among PWID must focus on education and the confluence of stigmas in which PWID find themselves when considering PrEP.

The Past, Present, and Future of PrEP implementation Among People Who Use Drugs

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent HIV outbreaks among people who use drugs (PWUD) necessitate additional HIV prevention tools. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly efficacious yet uptake among PWUD remains exceedingly low. To address multilevel, complex barriers to PrEP use among PWUD, a range of intervention strategies are needed.

RECENT FINDINGS

The literature on interventions to optimize PrEP use among PWUD is nascent, comprising small pilots and demonstration projects in early phases of intervention development. Initial studies suggest that structural, healthcare, interpersonal, and individual-level interventions can improve PrEP use for PWUD, and a number of efficacy trials are underway. Future studies are needed to optimize the use of new PrEP modalities (e.g., injectable PrEP), simultaneously target multilevel challenges to PrEP use, and evaluate the integration of PrEP into other service settings and substance use treatment modalities.