Abstract
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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3987-3999 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | AIDS and Behavior |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2021 |
Keywords
- Cisgender women
- Drug use
- Exchange sex
- HIV
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis
- Syringe service program
- Transgender women
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases