Open AccessInterest in Long-Acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (LAI PrEP) Among Women in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS): A Qualitative Study Across Six Cities in the United States
Author(s) -
Morgan M. Philbin,
Carrigan Parish,
Elizabeth N. Kinnard,
Sarah E. Reed,
Deanna Kerrigan,
María L. Alcaide,
Mardge H. Cohen,
Oluwakemi Sosanya,
Anandi N. Sheth,
Adaora A. Adimora,
Jennifer Cocohoba,
Lakshmi Goparaju,
Elizabeth T. Golub,
Margaret A. Fischl,
Lisa R. Metsch
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-020-03023-9
Subject(s) - pre exposure prophylaxis , pill , thematic analysis , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , public health , health psychology , family medicine , qualitative research , gynecology , demography , nursing , men who have sex with men , sociology , syphilis , social science
Long-acting injectable (LAI) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to facilitate adherence and transform HIV prevention. However, little LAI PrEP research has occurred among women, who face unique barriers. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews with HIV-negative women from 2017-2018 across six sites (New York; Chicago; San Francisco; Atlanta; Washington, DC; Chapel Hill) of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Few women expressed interest in PrEP and when prompted to choose a regimen, 55% would prefer LAI, 10% daily pills, and 33% said they would not take PrEP regardless of formulation. Perceived barriers included: (1) the fear of new-and perceived untested-injectable products and (2) potential side effects (e.g., injection-site pain, nausea). Facilitators included: (1) believing shots were more effective than pills; (2) ease and convenience; and (3) confidentiality. Future studies should incorporate women's LAI PrEP-related experiences to facilitate uptake.