Access to perinatal doula services in Medicaid: a case analysis of 2 states.

Doula services support maternal and child health, but few Medicaid programs reimburse for them. Through qualitative interviews with key policy informants (n = 20), this study explored facilitators and barriers to Medicaid reimbursement through perceptions of doula-related policies in 2 states: Oregon, where doula care is reimbursed, and Massachusetts, where reimbursement is pending. Five themes characterize the inclusion of doula services in Medicaid. In Theme 1, stakeholders recognized an imperative to expand access to doula services. Subsequent themes represent complications in accomplishing that imperative. In Theme 2, perceptions that doula services were not valued by health care providers resulted in conflict between doulas and the health care system. In Theme 3, complex billing processes created friction and impeded reimbursement. In Theme 4, internal conflict presented barriers to policymaking. In Theme 5, structural fragmentation between state government and doula communities was prominent in Massachusetts, presenting tensions during policymaking. Informants reported on problems demanding resolution to establish equitable and robust doula care policies. Medicaid coverage of doula services requires ongoing collaboration with doulas, providers, and health care advocates.

A Qualitative Study of Hospitals and Payers Implementing Community Doula Support.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of doula care on birth outcomes is well-established; however, doula support remains underutilized. Identifying barriers and facilitators to implementation is integral as the demand for doula care increases. The primary objective of this study was to examine doula program implementation across hospitals and payers at varying stages of implementation. METHODS: Representatives from 4 hospitals and 2 payers participated in focus group discussions. The doula programs were categorized as anticipated, initial, and advanced implementation statuses. Coding and thematic analysis were conducted using a deductive application of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. RESULTS: There were 20 participants across 5 focus group discussions. Participants were mostly female, and nearly all had worked at their organization for at least 2 years. Salient themes shared across participants included valuing internal outcome data or peer-reviewed literature to support doula care as well as anecdotal stories; the reality of the resource-intensive nature of doula care implementation that goes beyond funding for doulas; and both the need for individual champions for change, such as midwives, and a supportive organizational culture that values health equity. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study highlight 3 contextual aspects that should be considered when implementing doula programs. These recommendations include: (1) use of a combination of research evidence and anecdotes when eliciting stakeholder support; (2) consideration of resources beyond funding such as program implementation support; (3) critical evaluation of organizational culture as a primary driver influencing the implementation of doula care. The future of the doula workforce in United States hospitals rests on the crux of intentional buy-in from hospital administration and clinical providers as well as the availability of requisite resources.

The Breast-Imaging Operations, Practices and Systems Inventory: A framework to examine mammography facility effects on screening in rural communities.

PURPOSE: Develop and test a measurement framework of mammogram facility resources, policies, and practices in Appalachia. METHODS: Survey items describing 7 domains of imaging facility qualities were developed and tested in the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Medicare claims data (2016-2018) were obtained on catchment area mammogram services. Construct validity was examined from associations with facility affiliation, community characteristics, mammogram screening uptake, and market reach. Analyses were performed with t-tests and ANOVA. RESULTS: A total of 192 (of 377) sites completed the survey. Five factors were initially selected in exploratory factor analysis (FA) and refined in confirmatory FA: capacity, outreach & marketing, operational support, radiology review (NNFI = .94, GFI = 0.93), and diagnostic services (NNFI = 1.00, GFI = 0.99). Imaging capacity and diagnostic services were associated with screening uptake, with capacity strongly associated with catchment area demographic and economic characteristics. Imaging facilities in economically affluent versus poorer areas belong to larger health systems and have significantly more resources (P < .001). Facilities in economically distressed locations in Appalachia rely more heavily on outreach activities (P < .001). Higher facility capacity was significantly associated (P < .05) with larger catchment area size (median split: 48.5 vs 51.6), mammogram market share (47.4 vs 52.7), and screening uptake (47.6 vs 52.4). CONCLUSIONS: A set of 18 items assessing breast imaging services and facility characteristics was obtained, representing policies and practices related to a facility's catchment area size, market share, and mammogram screening uptake.

Medicaid Reimbursement for Doula Care: Policy Considerations From a Scoping Review.

Evidence suggests that perinatal doula care can support maternal health and reduce racial inequities among low-income pregnant and postpartum people, prompting growing interest by state Medicaid agencies to reimburse for doula services. Emerging peer-reviewed and gray literature document factors facilitating or impeding that reimbursement. We conducted a scoping review of that literature (2012-2022) to distill key policy considerations for policymakers and advocates in the inclusion of doula care as a Medicaid-covered benefit. Fifty-three reports met the inclusion criteria. Most (53%) were published in 2021 or 2022. Their stated objectives were advocating for expanded access to doula care (17%), describing barriers to policy implementation, and/or offering recommendations to overcome the barriers (17%). A primary policy consideration among states was prioritizing partnership with doulas and doula advocates to inform robust and equitable policymaking to sustain the doula profession.

Drivers of decision-making regarding infant sleep practices among mothers with opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the perspectives and perceived facilitators of and barriers to following safe infant sleeping practices among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD). STUDY DESIGN: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, we conducted qualitative interviews with mothers with OUD regarding infant sleep practices. We created codes and generated themes, concluding data collection upon achieving thematic saturation. RESULTS: Twenty-three mothers with infants 1-7 months of age were interviewed from 08/2020 to 10/2021. Mothers chose sleeping practices they perceived made their infants safer, more comfortable, and minimized infant withdrawal symptoms. Mothers in residential treatment facilities were influenced by facility infant sleep rules. Hospital sleep modeling and varied advice by providers, friends and family influenced maternal decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers reported factors unique to their experience with OUD that influenced their decisions about infant sleep that should be considered when developing tailored interventions to promote safe infant sleep in this population.

Understanding cigarette smoking among mothers with opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD). Organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommend cessation of cigarettes during the pre- and postnatal periods. Factors that inform decisions to continue or stop smoking cigarettes among pregnant and postpartum mothers with OUD are unclear. AIMS: This study aimed to understand (1) the lived experience of mothers with OUD regarding cigarette smoking and (2) barriers and facilitators to reduction of cigarette smoking during the pre- and postnatal periods. METHODS: Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, we completed semi-structured, in-depth interviews with mothers with OUD with infants 2-7 months of age. We used an iterative approach to analysis by conducting interviews and developing and revising codes and themes until we reached thematic saturation. RESULTS: Fifteen of 23 mothers reported smoking cigarettes prenatally and postnatally, 6 of 23 smoked cigarettes during the prenatal period only, and 2 mothers were non-smokers. We found that mothers: 1) believed that smoke exposure had negative health consequences and may exacerbate withdrawal symptoms for their infants; 2) implemented risk mitigation practices, which were dictated both by themselves and by outside rules, to reduce the harmful effects of smoke around infants; 3) were motivated to quit or cut-down on smoking because of the desire to optimize the health and well-being of their infants; 4) continued to smoke because they felt that the stress related to caregiving and their own recovery were a higher priority than quitting smoking; and 5) were influenced by exposure to smokers with whom they lived, as well as by the varied advice of medical providers, family, and friends. CONCLUSION: While mothers with OUD acknowledged the negative health impact of cigarette smoke exposure to their infants, many experienced stressors related to recovery and caregiving unique to those with OUD that impacted their cigarette smoking behaviors.

Breastfeeding Decision-Making Among Mothers with Opioid Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Factors that contribute to low initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD) are poorly understood. Objective: To understand barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding initiation and continuation beyond the birth hospitalization for mothers with OUD. Materials and Methods: We conducted 23 in-depth, semistructured interviews with mothers with OUD who cared for their infants at home 1-7 months after birth. Our interview guide was informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, which has been used to understand decision-making regarding breastfeeding. An iterative approach was used to develop codes and themes. Results: Among 23 participants, 16 initiated breastfeeding, 10 continued after hospital discharge, and 4 continued beyond 8 weeks. We identified factors influencing breastfeeding decisions in the four TPB domains. Regarding attitudes, feeding intentions were based on beliefs of the healthiness of breastfeeding particularly pertaining to infant withdrawal or exposure to mothers' medications. Regarding social norms, breastfeeding was widely recommended, but mothers had varying levels of trust in medical professional advice. Regarding perceived control, infant withdrawal and maternal pain caused breastfeeding to be difficult, with decisions to continue modulated by level of outside support. Regarding self-efficacy, mothers weighed their own recovery and well-being against the constant demands of breastfeeding, impacting decisions to continue. Conclusion: Mothers with OUD face unique barriers to breastfeeding related to their infants' withdrawal as well as their own health, recovery, and social context. Overcoming these barriers may serve as future intervention targets for breastfeeding promotion among this high-risk population.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding Continuation Among U.S. Hispanic Mothers: Identification of Mechanisms.

Objective: We examined the extent to which social, maternal, and infant factors and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) domains-attitudes, perceived control, and subjective norms-mediate the relationship between maternal race and ethnicity and birth country, and breastfeeding continuation. Materials and Methods: A nationally representative cohort of 2,810 mothers with self-reported race, ethnicity, and birth country was used. Main outcomes included any and exclusive breastfeeding at 2-6 months of infant age. A conceptual framework with the aforementioned mediators of interest was developed. Logistic regression was used to examine main associations, and structural equation modeling was used to identify the extent to which proposed mediators explained the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Results: One thousand two hundred twenty-one mothers were U.S.-born non-Hispanic white (NHW), 432 U.S.-born Hispanic, 329 Mexico-born Hispanic, 107 Central- or South America-born Hispanic, 33 Caribbean-born Hispanic, and 688 U.S.-born non-Hispanic black (NHB). No differences in breastfeeding continuation among U.S.-born NHW and U.S.-born Hispanic mothers were found. In contrast, compared with U.S.-born NHW mothers, Mexico-born (odds ratio [OR] 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46-2.72) and Central- or South America-born (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.89-6.17) Hispanic mothers had higher odds, and Caribbean-born Hispanic mothers had lower odds (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.76) of any breastfeeding. These relationships were mediated by attitudes and subjective norms. Conclusions: Breastfeeding continuation among U.S. Hispanic mothers varied by birth country, highlighting the heterogeneity of breastfeeding populations of Hispanic mothers in the United States. Tailored interventions should strengthen policies supportive of positive attitudes toward and subjective norms around breastfeeding.

Implementation of a Novel Pediatric Behavioral Health Integration Initiative.

This study explores healthcare professionals' perspectives about the impact of behavioral health integration (BHI) on pediatric primary care delivery in community health centers (CHCs). A concurrent, qualitative-dominant mixed methods empirical study design was utilized, applying semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals at the end of the implementation phase of a 3-year co-development, implementation, and evaluation process. Surveys were also administered at three time points. Via thematic analysis, emergent qualitative themes were mapped onto the Relational Coordination (RC) conceptual framework to triangulate and complement final qualitative results with quantitative results. Interview findings reveal five emergent themes aligning with RC domains. Survey results show that healthcare professionals reported increased behavioral healthcare integration into clinic practice (p = 0.0002) and increased clinic readiness to address behavioral health needs (p = 0.0010). Effective pediatric BHI and care delivery at CHCs may rely on strong professional relationships and communication. Additional research from the patient/caregiver perspective is needed.

Preexposure Prophylaxis Implementation in a Reproductive Health Setting: Perspectives From Planned Parenthood Providers and Leaders.

Integrating pregnancy and HIV prevention services would make reproductive health care settings an optimal venue for the promotion and delivery of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to cisgender women. However, these settings have been slow to adopt PrEP. Planned parenthood clinicians and leaders possess critical insight that can help accelerate PrEP implementation in reproductive health care settings and elements of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (i.e., relative priority of the intervention to staff, implementation climate, available resources to implement the intervention, and staff access to knowledge and information about the intervention) can shed light on elements of Planned Parenthood's inner setting that can facilitate PrEP implementation. In this study, individual 60-min interviews were conducted with clinical care team members (n = 10), leadership team members (n = 6), and center managers (n = 2) to explore their perspectives on PrEP implementation and associated training needs. Transcripts were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Despite having variable PrEP knowledge, participants (100% women, 61% non-Hispanic White) expressed positive attitudes toward implementing PrEP. Barriers and facilitators toward providing PrEP were reported at the structural, provider, and patient levels. Participants desired PrEP training that incorporated culturally competent patient-provider communication. Although participants identified ways that Planned Parenthood uniquely enabled PrEP implementation, barriers must be overcome to optimize promotion and delivery of PrEP to cisgender women.

Electronic Dissemination of a Web-Based Video Promotes PrEP Contemplation and Conversation Among US Women Engaged in Care at Planned Parenthood.

We evaluated the acceptability and impact of a web-based PrEP educational video among women (n = 126) by comparing two Planned Parenthood centers: one assigned to a Web Video Condition and one to a Standard Condition. Most women reported the video helped them better understand what PrEP is (92%), how PrEP works (93%), and how to take PrEP (92%). One month post-intervention, more women in the Web Video Condition reported a high level of comfort discussing PrEP with a provider (82% vs. 48%) and commonly thinking about PrEP (36% vs. 4%). No women with linked medical records initiated PrEP during 1-year follow-up.

Disparities in Breastfeeding Among U.S. Black Mothers: Identification of Mechanisms.

Objective: Disparities in U.S. breastfeeding rates persist among Black mothers according to birth country and between Black and White mothers, necessitating further investigation of modifiable mediating factors to inform interventions. This study seeks to examine the extent that social, maternal, infant factors and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) domains (attitudes, perceived control, and subjective norms) mediate the association of maternal race/birth country and breastfeeding continuation. Methods: A national cohort of 2,050 mothers self-identifying as U.S.-born non-Hispanic Black (n = 689), foreign-born non-Hispanic Black (n = 139), and U.S.-born non-Hispanic White (n = 1,222) was analyzed. Using logistic regression, associations of race/birth country and any/exclusive breastfeeding at 2-6 months were examined. Structural equation modeling was used to determine whether social, maternal, and infant factors and TPB domains mediate these relationships. Results: 40.0% of U.S.-born Black, 82.2% of foreign-born Black, and 57.3% of U.S.-born White mothers reported any breastfeeding at 2-6 months. Compared with U.S.-born Black mothers, odds of any breastfeeding were sevenfold higher among foreign-born Black mothers (odds ratio [OR] = 7.04 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.80-10.31), which was explained partly by social/maternal/infant factors and TPB domains. Compared with U.S.-born White mothers, any breastfeeding was lower (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.40-0.73) among U.S.-born Black mothers and higher (OR = 3.81, 95% CI = 2.48-5.87) among foreign-born Black mothers; these differences were also mediated by the aforementioned factors. Conclusions: Among Black mothers in the United States, breastfeeding continuation varied substantially by birth country. Promotion of interventions targeting positive attitudes, perceived control, and subjective norms may reduce disparities among Black and between Black and White mothers.

Racial and ethnic differences in women's HIV risk and attitudes towards pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the context of the substance use, violence, and depression syndemic.

Women with syndemic conditions, i.e., two or more co-occurring epidemics, are at elevated risk for HIV acquisition and are therefore prime candidates for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, PrEP uptake remains low among women, especially among Black and Hispanic women. This study examined associations of syndemic conditions with PrEP attitudes and HIV risk among women, and the moderating effect of race and ethnicity. In 2017, 271 non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic, PrEP-eligible women engaged in care at Planned Parenthood in the northeastern region of the U.S. completed an online survey. Participants reported syndemic conditions (i.e., intimate partner violence, depression, substance use), PrEP attitudes (e.g., PrEP interest), HIV sexual risk (e.g., multiple male sexual partners), and sociodemographics. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the effects of syndemic conditions on PrEP attitudes and HIV risk, and the moderating effect of race and ethnicity. Women with more syndemic conditions had a higher odds of reporting multiple male sexual partners. Syndemic conditions were positively associated with PrEP attitudes for Hispanic women than non-Hispanic Black and White women. Women with syndemic conditions, particularly Hispanic women, may be receptive to interventions promoting PrEP.

Birth Control Sabotage as a Correlate of Women's Sexual Health Risk: An Exploratory Study.

INTRODUCTION: To explore associations between birth control sabotage, a form of reproductive coercion, and women's sexual risk among women attending family planning health centers. Data were collected from a 2017 cross-sectional online survey of 675 women who attended Connecticut Planned Parenthood centers. Participants reported birth control sabotage; sexual risk (i.e., inconsistent condom use during vaginal and anal sex in the past 6 months, lifetime sexually transmitted infection diagnosis, lifetime exchange sex [trading sex for money, drugs, or other goods], and multiple sexual partners in the past 6 months); and sociodemographics. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between birth control sabotage and women's sexual risk. RESULTS: One in six women (16.4%; n = 111) reported experiencing birth control sabotage. Women who reported birth control sabotage had a greater odds of ever having an sexually transmitted infection (adjusted odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-3.60; p = .003), ever engaging in exchange sex (adjusted odds ratio, 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-6.53; p = .020), and having multiple sexual partners in the past 6 months (adjusted odds ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.18; p = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate increased engagement in sexual risk taking among women who reported birth control sabotage compared with women did not.

An analysis of stakeholder networks to support the breastfeeding scale-up environment in Mexico.

Little information exists on how to garner political commitment to strengthen large-scale breastfeeding policies and programmes by targeting key decision makers. The present study aims to map and describe the influence of stakeholders involved in breastfeeding policy and programming and identify opportunities to strengthen the breastfeeding-friendly environment in Mexico. A total of nine key informants from seventeen stakeholder organisations were selected based on their in-depth knowledge of the breastfeeding environment in Mexico and were individually interviewed using Net-Map methodology. This participatory interview technique combines stakeholder mapping, social network analysis and influence mapping to identify relevant stakeholders. Participants identified a total of fifty-five stakeholders shaping breastfeeding programmes and policies through four domains of influence: commands (n 32 stakeholders), dissemination (n 40), funding (n 35) and technical assistance (n 37). The Federal Ministry of Health emerged as the most influential stakeholder of breastfeeding policy and programming decisions in Mexico among all domains of influence. The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit as well as the National Institute of Public Health were identified as additional key stakeholders providing funding and technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health, respectively. Engaging identified key stakeholders can generate a multisectoral commitment to breastfeeding and strengthen the breastfeeding-friendly environment in Mexico.

Contraception as a Potential Gateway to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: US Women's Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Modality Preferences Align with Their Birth Control Practices.

Addressing women's low uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires improved understanding of their product preferences. Such preferences should be contextualized according to other aspects of their reproductive health, including their contraception practices. We investigated women's preferences across 10 PrEP modalities currently available or under study and examined associations between PrEP modality preferences and contraception practices. Heterosexually active women recently engaged in care at Connecticut Planned Parenthood centers (n = 563) completed an online survey. Participants were presented with images and descriptions of 10 PrEP modalities and asked to indicate their preference and specify their reasoning in an open-response format. Participants also reported prior and current use of 16 contraception modalities along with relationship, sexual health, and sociodemographic characteristics. The sample included women ages 18-45 (45.3% 25 or younger) who were predominantly non-Hispanic black (35.7%) or white (33.7%). All PrEP modalities presented were preferred by at least some women, with daily pills (24.9%), injections (24.3%), and invisible implants (14.9%) preferred most commonly. Across all modalities, associated reasoning often centered around ease of use and comfort. Coincidence with contraception modality was the third-most common reason underlying women's preferences. Women currently using the analogous contraception modality versus never having used it had higher odds of preferring PrEP daily pills [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.03], injections (AOR = 8.45), invisible implants (AOR = 11.63), and vaginal rings (AOR = 8.66). Diversification of available PrEP modalities and prioritization of those coinciding with popular contraception practices-especially daily pills, injections, and implants-could optimize PrEP acceptability, encourage PrEP uptake, and ultimately reduce HIV incidence among women.

Current US Guidelines for Prescribing HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Disqualify Many Women Who Are at Risk and Motivated to Use PrEP.

BACKGROUND: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical guidelines for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are widely used to assess patients' PrEP eligibility. The guidelines include 2 versions of criteria-guidance summary criteria and recommended indications criteria-that diverge in a potentially critical way for heterosexually active women: Both require women's knowledge of their own risk behavior, but the recommended indications also require women's knowledge of their partners' HIV risk or recognition of a potentially asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection. This study examined women's PrEP eligibility according to these 2 different versions of criteria across risk and motivation categories. SETTING/METHODS: HIV-negative women (n = 679) recently engaged in care at Connecticut Planned Parenthood centers were surveyed online in 2017. The survey assessed PrEP eligibility by both versions of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, HIV risk indicators, PrEP motivation indicators, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Participants were mostly non-Hispanic white (33.9%) or black (35.8%) and had low income (<$30,000/year; 58.3%). Overall, 82.3% were eligible for PrEP by guidance summary criteria vs. 1.5% by recommended indications criteria. Women disqualified by recommended indications criteria included those reporting condomless sex with HIV-positive or serostatus-unknown male partners (n = 27, 11.1% eligible); 1 or more recent sexually transmitted infection(s) (n = 53, 3.8% eligible); multiple sex partners (n = 168, 3.0% eligible); intended PrEP use (n = 211, 2.8% eligible); and high self-perceived risk (n = 5, 0.0% eligible). CONCLUSION: Current guidelines disqualify many women who could benefit from PrEP and may lead to discrepant assessments of eligibility. Guideline reform is needed to improve clarity and increase women's PrEP access and consequent HIV protection.

Differences in Medical Mistrust Between Black and White Women: Implications for Patient-Provider Communication About PrEP.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical HIV prevention method. PrEP uptake has been persistently low among US women, particularly Black women, who account for 61% of new HIV diagnoses among women. Further understanding of barriers to Black women accessing PrEP is needed. This 2017 cross-sectional survey study explored race-based differences in PrEP interest and intention among women and the indirect association between race and comfort discussing PrEP with a healthcare provider through medical mistrust. The sample consisted of 501 adult women (241 Black; 260 White) who were HIV-negative, PrEP-inexperienced, and heterosexually active. Black women reported greater PrEP interest and intention than White women. However, Black women expressed higher levels of medical mistrust, which, in turn, was associated with lower comfort discussing PrEP with a provider. Medical mistrust may operate as a unique barrier to PrEP access among Black women who are interested in and could benefit from PrEP.

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Stigma as a Multidimensional Barrier to Uptake Among Women Who Attend Planned Parenthood.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake has lagged among US women. PrEP stigma is a recognized barrier to uptake among men who have sex with men but remains largely unexplored among women. This study examined the pervasiveness of PrEP stigma among US women and its implications for uptake. SETTING/METHODS: In a 2017 online survey of Planned Parenthood patients drawn from the 3 cities with the highest numbers of new HIV infections in Connecticut, 597 heterosexually active, HIV-negative, PrEP-inexperienced women reported background characteristics, 2 dimensions of anticipated PrEP stigma (PrEP-user stereotypes and PrEP disapproval by others), and 3 indicators of potential PrEP uptake (interest in learning more about PrEP, intention to use PrEP, and comfort discussing PrEP with a provider). RESULTS: Participants commonly perceived PrEP-user stereotypes, with many believing that others would regard them as promiscuous (37%), HIV-positive (32%), bad (14%), or gay (11%) if they used PrEP. Thirty percent would feel ashamed to disclose PrEP use. Many participants expected disapproval by family (36%), sex partners (34%), and friends (25%). In adjusted analyses, perception of PrEP-user stereotypes was uniquely associated with less comfort discussing PrEP with a provider. Expected PrEP disapproval by others was uniquely associated with less PrEP interest, less intention to use PrEP, and less comfort discussing PrEP with a provider. Exploratory moderation analyses suggested that intention to use PrEP was greatest when participants anticipated low levels of both PrEP-user stereotypes and PrEP disapproval by others. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the need for positive messaging targeting potential PrEP users and their social networks to increase PrEP acceptance and uptake.