More than just oral PrEP: exploring interest in rectal douche, dissolvable implant, removable implant and injection HIV prevention approaches among racially diverse men who have sex with men in the Northeast Corridor

Willingness and preferences for long-acting injectable PrEP among US men who have sex with men: a discrete choice experiment

INTRODUCTION

Cabotegravir long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (LA-PrEP) was shown to be safe and effective in multiple clinical trials. Increasing uptake and persistence among populations with elevated risk for HIV acquisition, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), is critical to HIV prevention.

OBJECTIVE

This analysis aims to understand potential users' preferences for LA-PrEP, with audience segmentation.

DESIGN

Willingness to use and preferences for LA-PrEP were measured in HIV-negative, sexually active MSM in the 2020 American Men's Internet Survey. Respondents answered a discrete choice experiment with paired profiles of hypothetical LA-PrEP characteristics with an opt-out option (no LA-PrEP). Conditional and mixed logit models were run; the final model was a dummy-coded mixed logit that interacted with the opt-out.

SETTING

US national online sample.

RESULTS

Among 2506 MSM respondents, most (75%) indicated a willingness to use LA-PrEP versus daily oral PrEP versus no PrEP. Respondents were averse to side effects and increasing costs and preferred increasing levels of protection. Respondents preferred a 2-hour time to obtain LA-PrEP vs 1 hour, with a strong aversion to 3 hours. Overall, there was an aversion to opting out of LA-PrEP, with variations: those with only one partner, no/other insurance or who were Black, Indigenous or People of Colour were significantly less likely to prefer LA-PrEP, while those who were Hispanic/Latino, college educated and <40 years significantly preferred LA-PrEP.

CONCLUSIONS

A large proportion of MSM expressed a preference for LA-PrEP over daily oral pills. Most respondents chose LA-PrEP regardless of cost, clinic time, side effects or protection level; however, preferences varied by sociodemographics. These varied groups likely require tailored intervention strategies to achieve maximum LA-PrEP uptake and persistence.

Factors influencing the uptake of a mono-PrEP implant for the prevention of HIV: Males' perspectives from three South African provinces

INTRODUCTION

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention method; however, males over 15 years face challenges with its effective use. Long-acting prevention products could address barriers to effective PrEP use. This study aimed to estimate the potential uptake of a mono-PrEP implant and the factors influencing uptake among males in South Africa. The study also examined messaging and demand creation tactics that males perceive will improve HIV prevention uptake.

METHODS

We conducted a mixed methods study comprising participatory workshops and a self-administered survey among 142 PrEP-eligible males (18-40 years) in three provinces (Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Kwa-Zulu Natal) in South Africa from July to November 2022. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between the potential uptake of a hypothetical, non-biodegradable mono-PrEP implant and socioeconomic and behavioural factors. Workshop data were analysed using content analysis.

RESULTS

The top three HIV prevention products that males would consider using were the monthly pill (74.6%), the mono-PrEP implant (62.7%), and event-driven oral PrEP (59.2%). If one prevention option was available, 31.7% of participants stated that they would use the monthly oral pill, 28.2% would use the six-monthly injection, and 19.7% the mono-PrEP implant. Four key themes were noted as influential to potential mono-PrEP uptake: "Health Over Everything", "Mono-PrEP Implant Concerns", "Potential Disclosure of Mono-PrEP Use", and "Information Distribution Channels". Participants preferred social and mainstream media as information distribution channels to receive information on HIV prevention services, including the mono-PrEP implant.

CONCLUSION

In this study among predominantly heterosexual men in South Africa, there was interest in long-acting HIV prevention methods but concerns about the mono-PrEP implant. A comprehensive and participatory introduction will be needed for the implant, to improve acceptability and address potential concerns. Demand-creation strategies utilising social media and health campaigns should be considered to engage and reach males.

Exploring Stigma, Resilience, and Alternative HIV Preventive Service Delivery Among Young Men who Have Sex with Men of Color

Stigmatization on the basis of race, sexuality, gender identity, and/or use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) exacerbates HIV disparities for young men who have sex with men of color (YMSM). We explored resilience, healthcare experiences, stigma, and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on PrEP care needs among YMSM of color through virtual in-depth interviews. Analyses used adapted grounded theory/constant comparison. Regarding healthcare-based stigma, participants enacted multilevel resilience which was critical to their care retention during COVID-19 (Themes 1 and 2). Some participants noted that remote care could minimize healthcare stigma and promote retention in care and/or on PrEP (Theme 3). Participants were interested in long-acting injectable (LAI) PrEP but expressed concerns about cost, effectiveness, and side effects (Theme 4). Community-based venues like pharmacies were preferred spaces for getting LAI PrEP injections (Theme 4). Although expansion of telehealth that helped mitigate care retention challenges during COVID-19 was temporary, continued telehealth use may reduce stigmatization and promote long-term retention and PrEP persistence.