Open AccessLong-Acting Injectable ART and PrEP Among Women in Six Cities Across the United States: A Qualitative Analysis of Who Would Benefit the Most
Author(s) -
Morgan M. Philbin,
Sadie Bergen,
Carrigan Parish,
Deanna Kerrigan,
Elizabeth N. Kinnard,
Sarah E. Reed,
Mardge H. Cohen,
Oluwakemi Sosanya,
Anandi N. Sheth,
Adaora A. Adimora,
Jennifer Cocohoba,
Lakshmi Goparaju,
Elizabeth T. Golub,
Michael Vaughn,
José I. Gutierrez,
Margaret A. Fischl,
María L. Alcaide,
Lisa R. Metsch
Publication year - 2021
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/s10461-021-03483-7
Subject(s) - health psychology , thematic analysis , public health , qualitative research , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , pill , gerontology , psychology , family medicine , nursing , sociology , social science
Long-acting injectable (LAI) modalities have been developed for ART and PrEP. Women face unique barriers to LAI use yet little research has examined women's perceptions of potential LAI HIV therapy candidates. We conducted 89 in-depth interviews at six Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) sites with women living with HIV (n = 59) and HIV-negative women (n = 30) from 2017 to 2018. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Participants identified specific sub-populations who could most benefit from LAI over daily pills: (1) young people; (2) women with childcare responsibilities; (3) people with adherence-related psychological distress; (4) individuals with multiple sex partners; and (5) people facing structural insecurities such as homelessness. Women are underserved by current HIV care options and their perspectives are imperative to ensure a successful scale-up of LAI PrEP and LAI ART that prioritizes equitable access and benefit for all individuals.