Behind Prep Decisions: Understanding User Patterns and Discontinuation Factors in Real-World.

This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological aspects of PrEP use and barriers to accessing this prophylaxis. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2021 and April 2022, encompassing 140 PrEP users treated at the Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and factors associated with PrEP discontinuation were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Most PrEP users were cisgender men (92.00%), predominantly white (51.00%), over 30 years of age (56.50%), homosexual-oriented (76.50%), and had a minimum of 12 years of education (77.50%). Approximately 60.00% admitted to inconsistent condom use in recent sexual encounters, primarily involving anal intercourse. Approximately 88.00% perceived themselves as at risk of contracting STIs in the upcoming year. Regarding new presentation forms, 54.00% indicated a willingness to use "on-demand PrEP," and 92.00% expressed interest in using "injectable PrEP." After 6 months of follow-up, 43.60% (95.00% CI: 35.50-52.00) discontinued PrEP use, primarily due to changes in sexual behavior (38.30%) and difficulties accessing healthcare services (21.28%). This study underscores the need to involve diverse key populations and highlights the significance of PrEP as an ongoing monitoring strategy for HIV/STI prevention in addition to the importance of incorporating new formulations such as daily oral PrEP into the Brazilian National Health System (SUS).

Preference for novel biomedical HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis methods among adolescent girls and young women in Kampala, Uganda: a mixed methods study.

Background: Novel HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) methods including a potential future HIV vaccine, will increase prevention options for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) at high risk of HIV infection in Eastern and Southern Africa, yet data on AGYW's preferences for various PrEP methods is limited. We investigated preferences for five biomedical PrEP methods (oral, injectable, vaginal ring, implant, HIV vaccine) among 14-24-years-old AGYW in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: From January to December 2019, we conducted a mixed methods study including 265 high-risk AGYW. After receiving two education sessions on the five PrEP methods, participants were asked about their "most preferred PrEP method." Multinomial logistic regression (oral PrEP as reference category) was used to determine participant characteristics associated with method preference. Results are presented as adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 selected participants to examine reasons influencing PrEP preferences and suggestions for method improvements. Transcripts were analyzed thematically. Results: Participants preferred methods were: HIV vaccine (34.7%), oral PrEP (25.7%), injectable PrEP (24.9%), PrEP implant (13.6%), and vaginal ring (1.1%). Preference for injectable PrEP increased with every year of age (aRRR 1.22; 95% CI 1.04-1.44) and among participants with chlamydia or gonorrhoea (aRRR 2.53; 95% CI 1.08-5.90), while it was lower among participants having sexual partner(s) living with HIV or of unknown HIV status (aRRR 0.30; 95% CI 0.10-0.91). Preference for PrEP implants also increased with age (aRRR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14-1.77) and was strong among participants having ≥10 sexual partners in the past 3 months (aRRR 3.14; 95% CI 1.16-8.55), while it was lower among those with sexual partner(s) living with HIV or of unknown HIV status (aRRR 0.25; 95% CI 0.07-0.92). PrEP method preference was influenced by product attributes and prior experiences with similar product forms commonly used in health care. Conclusion: AGYW have varied preferences for biomedical PrEP method and those with higher sexual behavioral risk prefer long-acting methods. As we anticipate more available PrEP options, oral PrEP use should be supported among AGYW, especially for those with sexual partners living with HIV or of unknown HIV status.

Low clinical impact of HIV drug resistance mutations in oral pre-exposure prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the widespread use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, scant information on HIV drug resistance mutations (DRMs) has been gathered over the past decade. This review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of pre-exposure prophylaxis and its two-way impact on DRM. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies on DRM in pre-exposure prophylaxis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane, and SAGE databases were searched for English-language primary studies published between January 2001 and December 2023. The initial search was conducted on 9 August 2021 and was updated through 31 December 2023 to ensure the inclusion of the most recent findings. The registration number for this protocol review was CRD42022356061. RESULTS: A total of 26,367 participants and 562 seroconversion cases across 12 studies were included in this review. The pooled prevalence estimate for all mutations was 6.47% (95% Confidence Interval-CI 3.65-9.93), while Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine-associated drug resistance mutation prevalence was 1.52% (95% CI 0.23-3.60) in the pre-exposure prophylaxis arm after enrolment. A subgroup analysis, based on the study population, showed the prevalence in the heterosexual and men who have sex with men (MSM) groups was 5.53% (95% CI 2.55-9.40) and 7.47% (95% CI 3.80-12.11), respectively. Notably, there was no significant difference in the incidence of DRM between the pre-exposure prophylaxis and placebo groups (log-OR = 0.99, 95% CI -0.20 to 2.18, I2 = 0%; p = 0.10). DISCUSSION: Given the constrained prevalence of DRM, the World Health Organization (WHO) advocates the extensive adoption of pre-exposure prophylaxis. Our study demonstrated no increased risk of DRM with pre-exposure prophylaxis (p > 0.05), which is consistent with these settings. These findings align with the previous meta-analysis, which reported a 3.14-fold higher risk in the pre-exposure prophylaxis group than the placebo group, although the observed difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low prevalence of DRM, pre-exposure prophylaxis did not significantly increase the risk of DRM compared to placebo. However, long-term observation is required to determine further disadvantages of extensive pre-exposure prophylaxis use. PROSPERO Number: CRD42022356061.

Exploring factors hindering the uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis by potential users in Namibia.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for people who are at substantial risk of HIV infection, in conjunction with other HIV prevention tools and strategies. Unfortunately, the uptake of PrEP among potential users in Namibia's Okongo district is low. Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore and describe the factors that hinder the uptake of HIV PrEP by potential users at the Okongo District Hospital in Namibia. Method: A qualitative exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. The study sought to understand the factors hindering uptake of HIV PrEP by potential users in the peri-urban setting of Okongo District Hospital, Namibia. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for this study, with qualitative data being gathered from semi-structured interviews with 20 potential PrEP users. The data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Participants reported numerous factors hindering uptake, including level of understanding, non-compliance on the part of the health department, distances, and attitudes. Additionally, participants maintained that health workers do not put enough effort into educating patients in the different hospital departments about PrEP, and sometimes there is insufficient stock of the medicine, both of which hinder PrEP uptake. Conclusion: Despite the PrEP rollout, multiple obstacles continue to hinder PrEP uptake, especially in the outskirts of Okongo district. This study recognises that there is a need to work hand in hand with the support systems of both potential users.

Knowledge and attitude to HIV pre exposure prophylaxis among women in five sub-Saharan African countries: a multilevel model analysis of population-based survey 2021-2022.

BACKGROUND: HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) may help reduce the rate of HIV infection among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aimed to assess women's knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP, a crucial component of HIV prevention, using nationwide data. It is the first study of its kind conducted in five SSA countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, and Tanzania. The primary objective was to examine women's knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP for the prevention of HIV infection, as well as to explore individual- and community-level factors associated with it. METHODS: The current study utilized the 2021/22 demographic and health survey datasets from five African nations, namely Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. The analysis was performed using Stata 17. A weighted sample of 77,052 women of reproductive age participated in the survey. Univariate and multivariable multilevel logistic regressions were conducted to assess parameters related to knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP in these countries. In both the univariate regression and the final model, the significance of variables was determined using P values of ≤ 0.2 and < 0.05. RESULTS: Overall, only about 13.88 (95% CI: 13.64,14.12) of women had knowledge and attitudes toward HIV PrEP. The highest (34.29%) and lowest (5.61%) values were observed for Kenya and Tanzania respectively. Higher rates of knowledge, and attitude toward HIV PrEP among women were independently associated with age 25-34 years old (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI:1.41,1.64), and 35-49 years old (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI:1.43,1.69), primary education level (AOR = 1.79,95% CI:1.65,1.95), and secondary/higher education level (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 2.67,3.20), richer (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI:1.02,1.27), and richest (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI:1.06,1.37), employed women (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI:1.65,1.99), had media exposure (AOR = 1.49,95% CI:1.40,1.59),knowledge of modern contraception (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.94,3.43), had at least one ANC visit (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI:1.47,2.69), gave birth at health institutions (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02,1.37), ever had given birth (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.41,1.66), female household heads (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI:1.17,1.31), rural women (AOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76,0.89). Similarly, women from communities with high ANC coverage (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.61,2.11), high community mass media exposure (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.39,1.88), and high community wealth level (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.30,1.68), and women from the high illiteracy rate community (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61,0.82) showed statistically significant associations with the outcome variable in the final model. CONCLUSIONS: Less than one-seventh of women exhibited knowledge of and positive attitudes toward HIV PrEP. All stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and control have recognized the significance of the factors mentioned above. Enhancing maternal health services, such as promoting institutional delivery, contraception, antenatal care (ANC), and women's empowerment, alongside harnessing the power of media and embracing these transformative changes, will contribute to a greater understanding of and more favorable attitudes toward HIV PrEP within the population.

Unawareness of partner risk factors thwarts implementation of USPSTF recommendations for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in primary care.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis for persons at high risk of HIV exposure. The optimal screening strategy for at-risk individuals in primary care is not known. We evaluated the strategy of universal screening and discussed challenges to the implementation of this recommendation in primary care. Around 430 of 500 (86%) screening surveys were completed. Mutual monogamy was common but monogamous partners with recent negative HIV testing were uncommon. Likewise, among heterosexually active men and women, inconsistent condom use was common. Such individuals would be on guideline for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if their partner was at risk for HIV exposure. None of these potentially at-risk individuals met the criteria for PrEP, but 13% lacked knowledge of their partners' sexual and behavioral risk factors, preventing a clear decision on whether PrEP should be used. Our screen identified no individuals who clearly met the guideline criteria for HIV PrEP. We conclude that universal screening for HIV PrEP in primary care is unlikely to be an efficient strategy; targeted screening is likely more appropriate. Moreover, the 2019 guidelines for heterosexually active men and women rely on information that is often unknown to the patient, which makes these guidelines difficult to implement. Future guidelines should address these problems.

Impact of simplified HCV diagnostic strategies on the HCV epidemic among men who have sex with men in the era of HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis in Taiwan: a modelling study.

INTRODUCTION: Simplified hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnostic strategies have the potential to improve HCV diagnoses and treatment. We aimed to investigate the impact of simplified HCV diagnostic strategies on HCV incidence and its effect on HCV diagnosis and treatment among men who have sex with men (MSM) regardless of HIV status and use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Taiwan. METHODS: A compartmental deterministic model was developed to describe the natural history of HCV disease progression, the HCV care cascade and the HIV status and PrEP using among MSM. The model was calibrated to available data for HCV and HIV epidemiology and population demographics in Taiwan. We simulated the epidemic from 2004 and projected the impact of simplified testing strategies on the HCV epidemic among MSM over 2022-2030. RESULTS: Under the current testing approach in Taiwan, total HCV incidence would increase to 12.6 per 1000 person-years among MSM by 2030. Single-visit point-of-care RNA testing had the largest impact on reducing the number of new HCV infections over 2022-2030, with a 31.1% reduction (interquartile range: 24.9%-32.8%). By 2030, single-visit point-of-care HCV testing improved HCV diagnosis to 90.9%, HCV treatment to 87.7% and HCV cure to 81.5% among MSM living with HCV. Compared to status quo, prioritized simplified HCV testing for PrEP users and MSM living with diagnosed HIV had considerable impact on the broader HCV epidemic among MSM. A sensitivity analysis suggests that reinfection risk would have a large impact on the effectiveness of each point-of-care testing scenario. CONCLUSIONS: Simplified HCV diagnostic strategies could control the ongoing HCV epidemic and improve HCV testing and treatment among Taiwanese MSM. Single-visit point-of-care RNA testing would result in large reductions in HCV incidence and prevalence among MSM. Efficient risk-reduction strategies will need to be implemented alongside point-of-care testing to achieve HCV elimination among MSM in Taiwan.

Exploring adolescent girls and young women's PrEP-user profiles: qualitative insights into differentiated PrEP delivery platform selection and engagement in Cape Town, South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), a priority population for HIV prevention in Africa, show high interest but difficulty in sustained effective use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). With ongoing PrEP scale-up focused on increasing access, it is important to understand what influences AGYW's choice of PrEP delivery platforms. METHODS: The POWER implementation study in Cape Town provided PrEP between 2017 and 2020 to AGYW (16-25 years) from four differentiated delivery platforms: mobile clinic, government facility, courier delivery or community-based youth club. Healthcare providers at government and mobile clinics provided PrEP (initiation and refills) as part of comprehensive, integrated sexual and reproductive health services. Courier and youth club platforms provided light-touch PrEP refill services incorporating rapid HIV self-testing. We conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of AGYW who had ≥3 months of PrEP-use and accessed ≥2 PrEP delivery platforms. The thematic analysis explored AGYW's preferences, decision-making and habits related to PrEP access to inform market segmentation. RESULTS: We interviewed 26 AGYW (median age 20) PrEP-users between November 2020 and March 2021. AGYW PrEP-users reported accessing different services with, 24 accessing mobile clinics, 17 courier delivery, 9 government health facilities and 6 youth clubs for their PrEP refills. Qualitative findings highlighted four potential behavioural profiles. The "Social PrEP-user" preferred PrEP delivery in peer spaces, such as youth clubs or adolescent-friendly mobile clinics, seeking affirmation and social support for continued PrEP use. The "Convenient PrEP-user" favoured PrEP delivery at easily accessible locations, providing quick (courier) or integrated contraception-PrEP refill visits (mobile and government clinic). The "Independent PrEP-user" preferred PrEP delivery that offered control over delivery times that fit into their schedule, such as the courier service. The "Discreet PrEP-user" highly valued privacy regarding their PrEP use (courier delivery) and avoided delivery options where unintentional disclosure was evident (youth club). Comfort with HIV self-testing had minimal influence on PrEP delivery choice. CONCLUSIONS: Market segmentation of AGYW characterizes different types of PrEP-users and has the potential to enhance tailored messaging and campaigns to reach specific segments, with the aim of improving sustained PrEP use and HIV prevention benefits.

Experiences of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis use among heterosexual men accessing sexual and reproductive health services in South Africa: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: South African men face a substantial burden of HIV and are less likely to test for HIV and initiate antiretroviral therapy if tested positive and more likely to die from AIDS-related causes than women. In addition to condoms and circumcision, guidelines provide for the use of daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV prevention intervention for any men who recognize their need and request PrEP. However, heterosexual men have not been a focus of PrEP programmes, and since its introduction, there is limited literature on PrEP use among men in South Africa. This study explores the experiences, motivators and barriers to oral PrEP use among heterosexual men accessing primary healthcare services in South Africa. METHODS: This study forms part of a mixed-methods implementation science study aimed at generating evidence for oral PrEP introduction and conducted in primary healthcare clinics in South Africa since 2018. Men aged ≥15 years who initiated oral PrEP and enrolled in a parent cohort study were purposefully invited to participate in an in-depth interview (IDI). Between March 2020 and May 2022, 30 men participated in IDIs exploring their motivators for PrEP use, and experiences with accessing health services. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: The final analysis included 28 heterosexual men (18-56 years old). Motivations to initiate PrEP included fear of acquiring HIV, self-perceived vulnerability to HIV and mistrust in relationships; health systems factors which motivated PrEP use included the influence of healthcare providers, educational materials and mobile services. Perceived reduction in HIV vulnerability and changing proximity to partners were reasons for PrEP discontinuation. Side effects, daily-pill burden and stigma were noted as challenges to PrEP use. Health system barriers to PrEP use included limited PrEP availability, school and work demands, and inconsistent mobile clinic schedules. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reports on the experiences of heterosexual men accessing oral PrEP in real-world settings and contributes to the limited literature among this population. We highlight multiple levels which could be strengthened to improve men's PrEP use, including individual support, education among partners and communities, and addressing health system barriers to access.

Experiences and challenges of pre-exposure prophylaxis initiation and retention among high-risk populations: qualitative insights among service providers in Thailand.

Objectives: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been an essential element of the national combination prevention package and included in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) of Thailand since 2019. As a part of the national monitoring and evaluation framework, this qualitative study aims to describe experiences and barriers concerning PrEP initiation and retention among service providers from both hospital and Key Population Led Health Service (KPLHS) settings under the country's UHC roll-out. Methods: Between September and October 2020, ten focus group discussions with PrEP service providers from both hospitals and KPLHS across Thailand were conducted of which there were six hospitals, one health service center, three KPLHS. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim to identify providers' experiences, attitudes, and perceived barriers regarding PrEP service delivery in Thailand. Results: Among the 35 PrEP service providers, most of them reported positive attitudes toward PrEP and believed that it is an effective tool for HIV prevention. Men who have sex with men were perceived to be the easiest group to reach while PrEP uptake remains a challenge in other key populations. Integration of a PrEP clinic with other HIV services at hospitals made most healthcare providers unable to adopt an active approach in recruiting new clients like at KPLHS settings. Challenges in delivering PrEP services included lack of public awareness, high workload, limited benefit package coverage, structural and human resources. Conclusion: Additional services to address different health needs should be considered to increase PrEP uptake among harder-to-reach populations. Novel approaches to PrEP service integration and close collaboration between hospitals and KPLHS would be essential in optimizing PrEP uptake and retention. Support regarding raising awareness, expanding service coverage and access, improving facilities and workforce, and providers' capacities are crucial for the success of the national PrEP programme.

The Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Stigma Scale: Measurement Properties of an Adaptation in German and French.

Objectives: This study aimed to adapt and validate the HIV PrEP Stigma Scale (HPSS) in French and German languages (HPSS-FR/DE) and assess its applicability across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Methods: The original scale was adapted to French and German and administered through an online survey in multiple European nations. A four-factor structure was extracted from the data, including negative social consequences, social pressure, self-support, and external support. The scale's construct validity, reliability, and cross-linguistic consistency were evaluated. Results: The adapted HPSS-FR/DE demonstrated robust psychometric properties, good construct validity, acceptable reliability, and consistent measurement across different languages. This adaptation enhances its utility in multicultural settings, offering a comprehensive tool to assess PrEP-related stigma. Conclusion: This study provides a suitable tool to address PrEP stigma in multicultural environments to enhance PrEP uptake and adherence among men who have sex with men. Moreover, it lays the groundwork for further investigations into PrEP stigma across diverse populations and cultural settings, enabling the development of targeted public health interventions and policies to combat this issue effectively.

Identifying Best Practices for Increasing HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use and Persistence in the United States: A Systematic Review.

A qualitative systematic review was conducted to evaluate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) interventions, describe characteristics of best practices for increasing PrEP use and persistence, and explore research gaps based on current PrEP interventions. We searched CDC's Prevention Research Synthesis (PRS) Project's cumulative HIV database (includes CINAHL, EMBASE, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Sociological Abstracts) to identify PrEP intervention studies conducted in the U.S., published between 2000 and 2022 (last searched January 2023). Eligibility criteria include studies that evaluated PrEP interventions for persons testing negative for HIV infection, or for healthcare providers who prescribed PrEP; included comparisons between groups or pre/post; and reported at least one relevant PrEP outcome. Each eligible intervention was evaluated on the quality of study design, implementation, analysis, and strength of evidence (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021256460). Of the 26 eligible interventions, the majority were focused on men who have sex with men (n = 18) and reported PrEP adherence outcomes (n = 12). Nine interventions met the criteria for Best Practices (i.e., evidence-based interventions, evidence-informed interventions). Five were digital health interventions while two implemented individual counseling, one offered motivational interviewing, and one provided integrated medical care with a PrEP peer navigator. Longer intervention periods may provide more time for intervention exposure to facilitate behavioral change, and engaging the community when developing, designing and implementing interventions may be key for effectiveness. For digital health interventions, two-way messaging may help participants feel supported. Research gaps included a lack of Best Practices for several populations (e.g., Black persons, Hispanic/Latino persons, persons who inject drugs, and women of color) and evidence for various intervention strategies (e.g., interventions for promoting provider's PrEP prescription behavior, peer support). These findings call for more collaborative work with communities to develop interventions that work and implement and disseminate Best Practices for increasing PrEP use and persistence in communities.

Navigating the Incidence of Postoperative Arrhythmia and Hospitalization Length: The Role of Amiodarone and Other Antiarrhythmics in Prophylaxis.

Antiarrhythmic drugs play a pivotal role in managing and preventing arrhythmias. Amiodarone, classified as a class III antiarrhythmic, has been used prophylactically to effectively prevent atrial fibrillation postoperatively in cardiac surgeries. However, there is a lack of consensus on the use of amiodarone and other antiarrhythmic drugs as prophylaxis to reduce the occurrence of all types of postoperative arrhythmias in cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. A comprehensive PubMed query yielded 614 relevant papers, of which 52 clinical trials were analyzed. The data collection included the class of antiarrhythmics, timing or method of drug administration, surgery type, type of arrhythmia and its incidence, and hospitalization length. Statistical analyses focused on prophylactic antiarrhythmics and their respective reductions in postoperative arrhythmias and hospitalization length. Prophylactic amiodarone alone compared to placebo demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative arrhythmia incidence in cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries (24.01%, p<0.0001), and it was the only treatment group to significantly reduce hospitalization length versus placebo (p = 0.0441). Prophylactic use of class 4 antiarrhythmics versus placebo also demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative arrhythmia incidence (28.01%, p<0.0001), and while there was no significant statistical reduction compared to amiodarone (4%, p=0.9941), a lack of abundant data provides a case for further research on the prophylactic use of class 4 antiarrhythmics for this indication. Amiodarone prophylaxis remains a prime cornerstone of therapy in reducing postoperative arrhythmia incidence and hospitalization length. Emerging data suggests a need for a broader exploration of alternative antiarrhythmic agents and combination therapies, particularly class 4 antiarrhythmics, in both cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. This meta-analysis depicts the effectiveness of amiodarone, among other antiarrhythmics, in postoperative arrhythmia incidence and hospitalization length reduction in cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries.

Missed Opportunities for HIV Prevention in a Large County Safety Net Health System.

INTRODUCTION: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at reducing HIV transmission. However, PrEP uptake is low for racial and ethnic minorities and women, especially in the Southern US Health care clinicians should be prepared to identify all patients eligible for PrEP, provide counseling, and prescribe PrEP. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of persons newly diagnosed with HIV was conducted at a large public health system from January 2015 to June 2021. Interactions with the health system in the 5 years preceding HIV diagnosis were analyzed, and missed opportunities for HIV prevention interventions, including PrEP and condom use counseling, were identified. RESULTS: We identified 454 patients with a new HIV diagnosis with previous health system interactions. 166(36.6%) had at least 1 identifiable indication for PrEP: 42(9.3%) bacterial STI, 63(13.9%) inconsistent condom use, or 82(18%) injection drug use before HIV diagnosis. Only 7(1.5%) of patients were counseled on PrEP. Most patients (308; 67.8%) had no documented condom use history in the EHR before diagnosis, a surrogate marker for obtaining a sexual history. Patients who exclusively interacted with the emergency care setting did not receive PrEP education and were less likely to receive condom use counseling. CONCLUSION: Missed opportunities to offer HIV prevention before diagnosis were common among patients newly diagnosed with HIV. Most patients did not have sexual history documented in the chart before their HIV diagnosis. Educational interventions are needed to ensure that clinicians are prepared to identify those eligible and discuss the benefits of PrEP.

Age-related factors associated with intention to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis among cisgender women in Washington D.C.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) utilization among cisgender women (subsequently 'women') is low across age groups, relative to their risk of HIV acquisition. We hypothesize that age-related differences in psychosocial factors also influence women's intention to initiate oral PrEP in Washington, D.C. Methods: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey data was performed to evaluate factors influencing intention to initiate oral PrEP among women seen at a family planning and a sexual health clinic. A bivariate analysis was performed to identify differences by age group in demographic characteristics, indications for PrEP, and attitudes toward PrEP; we then performed additional bivariate analysis to assess these variables in relation to PrEP intention. Results: Across age groups, perceived risk of HIV acquisition was not significantly different and was not associated with intention to initiate PrEP. Awareness of and attitude toward PrEP, injunctive norms, descriptive norms, and self-efficacy were not different across age, however there were significant age-associated differences in relation to PrEP intention. Specifically, among 18-24-year-olds, intention to start PrEP was associated with support from provider (p = 0.03), main sexual partner (p < 0.01), and peers (p < 0.01). For women 25-34 years old, having multiple sexual partners (p = 0.03) and support from casual sexual partners (p = 0.03) was also important. Among women 35-44 years old, prior awareness of PrEP (p = 0.02) and their children's support of PrEP uptake (p < 0.01) were associated with intention to initiate PrEP. Among 45-55 year-old women intention to initiate PrEP was positively associated with engaging in casual sex (p = 0.03) and negatively associated with stigma (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Overall, there were more similarities than differences in factors influencing intention to initiate PrEP across age groups. Observed differences offer an opportunity to tailor PrEP delivery and HIV prevention interventions to increase awareness and uptake for cisgender women.

Research showing how women's age affects their decision to start pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV in Washington, DC We know that many women need pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection in Washington, DC, yet the number of women who use PrEP is lower than expected. The study was done to determine whether a woman's age affects her decision to start PrEP. This is important because providers need to know the factors affecting a woman's decision to start PrEP in order to increase PrEP use in at-risk patients. We re-analyzed a set of data that was generated from surveys given to women in a women's health clinic. The surveys asked women about their background, including risk factors for HIV infection, and their awareness of and attitudes toward PrEP. We also asked women questions that were meant to determine their belief in their own ability to make decisions as well as the degree to which other people in their life affect their own decisions. We wanted to know whether age affects the degree to which these characteristics affect women's decision to start PrEP. Overall, there were more similarities than differences between age groups when looking at how different factors affect the decision to start PrEP. Across age groups, there were no differences in how women view their risk of HIV infection. We found that 18-24-year-olds were more likely to start PrEP when they felt support from their provider, main sexual partner, and peers. 25-34-year-olds were more likely to start PrEP when they felt this same source of support and had had multiple sexual partners. 35-44-year-olds were more likely to start PREP when they already had awareness of PrEP or had their children's support of their PrEP use. 45-55-year-olds were more likely to start PrEP when they had engaged in casual sex and were less likely to start PrEP if they expected negative judgement for it. Even though there were significant similarities between age groups, the differences that we found offer an opportunity to tailor PrEP awareness and interventions to promote PrEP use among women.

Regulatory Issues in Electronic Health Records for Adolescent HIV Research: Strategies and Lessons Learned.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health records (EHRs) are a cost-effective approach to provide the necessary foundations for clinical trial research. The ability to use EHRs in real-world clinical settings allows for pragmatic approaches to intervention studies with the emerging adult HIV population within these settings; however, the regulatory components related to the use of EHR data in multisite clinical trials poses unique challenges that researchers may find themselves unprepared to address, which may result in delays in study implementation and adversely impact study timelines, and risk noncompliance with established guidance. OBJECTIVE: As part of the larger Adolescent Trials Network (ATN) for HIV/AIDS Interventions Protocol 162b (ATN 162b) study that evaluated clinical-level outcomes of an intervention including HIV treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis services to improve retention within the emerging adult HIV population, the objective of this study is to highlight the regulatory process and challenges in the implementation of a multisite pragmatic trial using EHRs to assist future researchers conducting similar studies in navigating the often time-consuming regulatory process and ensure compliance with adherence to study timelines and compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines. METHODS: Eight sites were engaged in research activities, with 4 sites selected from participant recruitment venues as part of the ATN, who participated in the intervention and data extraction activities, and an additional 4 sites were engaged in data management and analysis. The ATN 162b protocol team worked with site personnel to establish the necessary regulatory infrastructure to collect EHR data to evaluate retention in care and viral suppression, as well as para-data on the intervention component to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the mobile health intervention. Methods to develop this infrastructure included site-specific training activities and the development of both institutional reliance and data use agreements. RESULTS: Due to variations in site-specific activities, and the associated regulatory implications, the study team used a phased approach with the data extraction sites as phase 1 and intervention sites as phase 2. This phased approach was intended to address the unique regulatory needs of all participating sites to ensure that all sites were properly onboarded and all regulatory components were in place. Across all sites, the regulatory process spanned 6 months for the 4 data extraction and intervention sites, and up to 10 months for the data management and analysis sites. CONCLUSIONS: The process for engaging in multisite clinical trial studies using EHR data is a multistep, collaborative effort that requires proper advanced planning from the proposal stage to adequately implement the necessary training and infrastructure. Planning, training, and understanding the various regulatory aspects, including the necessity of data use agreements, reliance agreements, external institutional review board review, and engagement with clinical sites, are foremost considerations to ensure successful implementation and adherence to pragmatic trial timelines and outcomes.

Youth-friendly services was the magic: Experiences of adolescent girls and young women in the community PrEP study, South Africa.

Adherence to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention has been challenging for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). As part of The Community PrEP Study (CPS), AGYW were randomised to HIV-prevention empowerment counselling (intervention) or basic medication pick-up (control). In this qualitative sub-study, we interviewed AGYW participants (n = 39) to explore PrEP use and study experiences by study arm, and study staff (n = 7) to explore study implementation, site environment, and participant engagement. Data were thematically analysed using a constant comparison approach. Comparative matrices assessed similarities and differences in study experiences and PrEP support preferences. Friendly, non-judgmental, non-stigmatizing study staff were described as central to participant's positive experiences. Participants highly valued CPS staff's holistic health support (e.g. physical and psycho-social). Intervention participants described empowerment counselling as helpful in supporting PrEP disclosure. However, control participants also described disclosing PrEP use to trusted individuals. Participants and staff recommended public-sector PrEP services provide holistic, confidential, and integrated sexual and reproductive health services, and community sensitisation. An adolescent and youth-friendly environment was the primary factor motivating AGYW's study engagement. While HIV-prevention empowerment counselling was well received, welcoming, respectful and non-judgmental staff may be the 'secret sauce' for implementing effective PrEP services to AGYW.

Discontinuation of HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis: findings from programmatic surveillance within two general population HIV programs in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: As oral PrEP scales up in Nigeria, information about uptake, use pattern and client preference in a real-world, implementation setting is invaluable to guide refining service provision and incorporation of oral PrEP and other prevention measures into routine health services. To add to this body of knowledge, our study examines factors associated with discontinuation of PrEP among HIV negative individuals across two large scale programs in Nigeria. METHODS: Using program implementation data from two large-scale HIV projects in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in Nigeria between January 2020 and July 2021, we used logistic regression to explore factors associated with early discontinuation (i.e., stopping PrEP within one month of starting) among HIV-negative individuals who initiated PrEP in the programs. RESULTS: Of a total of 26,325 clients; 22,034 (84%) discontinued PrEP within the first month. The odds of PrEP discontinuation were higher among clients who enrolled in community-based distribution sites (aOR 2.72; 95% C.I: 2.50-2.96) compared to those who enrolled in program-supported facilities and never married (aOR 1.76; 95% C.I: 1.61-1.92) compared to married clients. Clients who initiated PrEP because of high-risk sexual behaviour (aOR 1.15, 95% C.I 1.03-1.30) or inconsistent use or non-use of condoms (aOR 1.96, 95% C.I 1.60-2.41) had greater odds of discontinuing PrEPthan those who initiated PrEP because they were in a serodifferent relationship. CONCLUSION: The behavioural and demographic factors associated with early discontinuation of PrEP suggest that risk stratification of pre-initiation and follow up counselling may be helpful in raising continuation rates. On the service delivery side, strategies to strengthen follow-up services provided by community-based distribution sites need to be introduced. Overall, the low continuation rate calls for a review of programmatic approaches in provision of PrEP services in Nigeria.

Willingness to use PrEP among PrEP naïve men who have sex with men: a meta-analysis.

This study aimed to measure the pooled estimate of willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (WTUP) among PrEP-naïve United States (U.S.)-based men who have sex with men (MSM). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched. The search strategy contained the keyword willingness and interest and the MeSH terms for HIV and PrEP. Articles were included if they were published between January 2005 and May 2022, reported quantitative data on WTUP among PrEP-naïve US-based MSM, and were available as full text in English. Meta-analysis was conducted to assess the pooled effect size of WTUP prevalence using a random-effects model, heterogeneity in the pooled estimate was assessed, and subgroup analyzes were conducted. Fifteen studies were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed a pooled prevalence proportion for WTUP of 0.58 (95% CI 0.54-0.61) (or 58 out of 100) among PrEP-naïve MSM. High inter-study heterogeneity (Q = 548.10, df = 19, p < 0.01, I2 = 96.53, τ2 = 0.09) was observed. Age of the study sample and region where the data were collected significantly moderated the pooled WTUP estimate. Age-appropriate PrEP related messaging and a focus on HIV priority areas of the U.S. would be important strategies to improve WTUP among MSM in the U.S. moving forward.

Implementation Science of Integrating Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Pharmacist-Led Services in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Racial inequities in HIV in the United States (US) are pervasive. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one of the most effective yet underutilized HIV prevention strategies, and stark inequities in PrEP uptake exist. Lack of access to PrEP clinics is a major barrier to access that could be overcome by integrating pharmacists into the provision of PrEP services including prescribing and dispensing. METHODS: A number of reviews have shown promise in folding pharmacies into the expansion of PrEP services, but this review extends those by examining the implementation science evidence of pharmacist-led PrEP services in the US. We reviewed literature over the past five years of the implementation science of pharmacist PrEP services (2018-2023) and present seminal findings in this area. RESULTS: Only two studies are anchored within an implementation science framework despite all studies assessing common implementation science constructs. Overwhelming evidence supports feasibility and adoption of PrEP services in pharmacies yet gaps in workflow integration, scalability and sustainability exist. CONCLUSION: Continuing to build the implementation science evidence of pharmacy-based PrEP services is critical to standardize our measures across varying contexts and inform policy efforts that support pharmacy-based PrEP services.