Knowledge and Attitudes About HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Sexually Active Black and Latina Cisgender Women: Findings from the 2017 and 2018 New York City Sexual Health Survey.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool to prevent HIV, yet it is underutilized among women. The current study aims to evaluate the awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of PrEP among a large survey sample of Black and Latina women in New York City (NYC). Interviewer-administered surveys were conducted in high HIV incidence neighborhoods in NYC among Black, Latina, and Afro-Latina women who reported recent sex with a man in 2017 (n = 398) and 2018 (n = 405). About 40% of participants were aware of PrEP, whereas 30.4% indicated interest in using it. The top reason for not utilizing it was low HIV risk perception. However, most participants supported the idea that using PrEP meant asserting control over their health (94.1%). Primary care providers and obstetricians/gynecologists were participants' preferred sources for PrEP (91.6%). Across survey cycles, compared to non-Black Latina participants, Black participants had significantly higher PrEP awareness (44.4% vs. 29.1%). PrEP awareness was also significantly higher among survey participants in 2018 (45.2%) than in 2017 (34.3%). Less than half of the participants were aware of PrEP, but those who were aware expressed largely positive attitudes toward the medication. Our findings may inform future PrEP implementation strategies to optimize awareness and access to PrEP among women disproportionately affected by HIV, like focusing on personal empowerment instead of risk-based messaging and training women's sexual health care providers in PrEP provision.

Preference heterogeneity for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis care among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the United States: a large discrete choice experiment.

Background: PrEP uptake among Black and Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) remains low in the United States. The design and implementation of PrEP delivery programs that incorporate the preferences of Black and Latino GBM may overcome barriers to uptake. We aimed to identify preferences for PrEP care among high-priority GBM in the U.S. with a large discrete choice experiment. Methods: We conducted two discreet choice experiments (DCE) to elicit care preferences for (1) Starting PrEP and (2) Continuing PrEP care among GBM clinically indicated for PrEP. The DCE web-based survey was nested in a longitudinal cohort study of GBM in the U.S., implemented with video and audio directions among 16-49 year-old participants, not using PrEP, and verified to be HIV-negative. All participants were presented with 16 choice sets, with choices determined by BLGBM and PrEP implementation stakeholders. We calculated overall utility scores and relative importance and used latent class analyses (LCA) to identify classes within the Starting and Continuing PrEP DCE. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with class membership. Findings: Among 1514 participants, mean age was 32 years; 46·5% identified as Latino, 21·4% Black, and 25·2 White; 37·5% had an income less than USD $20,000. Two latent classes were identified for Starting PrEP: Class 1 (n=431 [28·5%]) was driven by preference for more traditional in-person care, and Class 2 (n=1083 [71·5%]) preferred flexible care options and on-demand PrEP. In a multivariable model, having a sexual health doctor (adjusted OR 0·7, CI 0·5, 0·9), having a primary care provider (OR 0·7,CI 0·5, 0·9, p= 0·023), and concerns over PrEP side effects (OR 1·1, CI 1·0,1·2, p= 0·003) were all associated with class membership. Interpretation: The different preferences identified for PrEP care indicate the need for diverse care and formulation choices to improve PrEP uptake and persistence. Addressing these preferences and understanding the factors that shape them can inform the implementation of programs that increase PrEP uptake.

Impact of HIV preexposure prophylaxis prescriptions on HIV diagnoses in New York City.

BACKGROUND: HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven to be efficacious and effective in preventing HIV infections, but few studies have reported its impact in the real world. METHODS: We conducted an ecological analysis and compared the trends in HIV PrEP prescriptions with the trends in age-adjusted HIV diagnosis rates in New York City (NYC). Joinpoint regression analyses were used to identify any temporal trends in HIV diagnosis rates in NYC. RESULTS: The number of people filling at least one PrEP prescription in NYC increased from 2551 in 2014 to 35 742 in 2022. The overall age-adjusted HIV diagnosis rate steadily decreased from 48.1 per 100 000 in 2003 to 17.1 per 100 000 in 2022. After the rollout of PrEP, accelerated decreases were detected in some subpopulations including white men [2014-2019 annual percentage change (APC): -16.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -22.7 to -10.0], Asian/Pacific Islander men (2016-2022 APC: -9.8%), men aged 20-29 years (2017-2020 APC: -9.4%) and 40 -49 years (2014-2020 APC: -12.2%), Latino/Hispanic people aged 40-49 years (2015-2020 APC: -13.0%), white people aged 20-29 years (2012-2022 APC: -11.4%) and 40-49 years (2014-2018 APC: -27.8%), and Asian/Pacific Islander people aged 20-29 years (2017-2022 APC: -13.0%). CONCLUSION: With a high coverage, PrEP can have a long-term impact in reducing HIV infections in a population, but if preexisting social determinants that contribute to racial, ethnic, and gender inequities are not well addressed, the implementation of PrEP can exacerbate these inequalities.

Inequities Along the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Services Continuum for Black Women in the United States, 2015-2020.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of women who received human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services by race and ethnicity in seven THRIVE (Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic)-funded jurisdictions and to estimate associations of age and syphilis and gonorrhea diagnoses with receipt of HIV PrEP services. METHODS: We analyzed data collected from 2015 to 2020 in Birmingham, Alabama; Baltimore City, Maryland; Washington, DC, New Orleans, Louisiana; Brooklyn, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Hampton Roads, Virginia. We compared Black women and women of additional racial and ethnic groups by age, HIV status at enrollment, receipt of STI testing and test positivity, and steps in the PrEP continuum (screened, eligible, referred, linked, and prescribed). We also examined the association of age, syphilis, or gonorrhea with the following steps in the PrEP continuum: screened, referred, linked, and prescribed. RESULTS: Black women made up 69.2% (8,758/12,647) of women served in THRIVE. Compared with non-Black women, Black women were more likely to have a positive test result for syphilis (3.3% vs 2.1%), gonorrhea (4.9% vs 3.5%), chlamydia (5.1% vs 1.9%), or more than one STI (1.4% vs 0.3%). Among women with negative HIV test results or unknown HIV status, Black women were more likely to be screened for PrEP eligibility (88.4% vs 64.9%). Among Black women, the proportion screened for PrEP was higher among those diagnosed with syphilis (97.3%) or gonorrhea (100%) than among those without an STI (88.1% and 87.8%, respectively). Among 219 Black women who presented with syphilis, only 10 (4.6%) were prescribed PrEP; among 407 with gonorrhea, only 11 (2.7%) were prescribed PrEP. CONCLUSION: Although most Black women seeking services received STI testing, the proportion of Black women who were eligible for PrEP and prescribed PrEP was low. To achieve national HIV-prevention goals, it is imperative that Black women have access to PrEP information and services.

Health Care Provider Decisions to Initiate Oral HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis in New York City Public Sexual Health Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Oral HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and effective but underutilized. Health care providers' beliefs about PrEP and attitudes toward people who could benefit may affect PrEP access. METHODS: This mixed-methods study (2016-2018) was conducted in 8 New York City public sexual health clinics that implemented a PrEP program. Data included 32 in-depth qualitative interviews with clinicians, quantitatively coded to reflect their PrEP beliefs; a provider questionnaire; and 6 months of medical record visit data for these providers. Among patients with a PrEP indication, we examined the odds of a patient being initiated on PrEP associated with providers' PrEP beliefs and demographic characteristics, and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Providers reported strong support for offering PrEP to eligible patients. The majority denied concerns about possible development of drug-resistant viral strains, giving PrEP to people who might not benefit, and PrEP toxicity. Nevertheless, about one-third agreed with each of these concerns, and 55% thought PrEP use might limit condom use. Of 2176 patients with a PrEP indication, 20% were initiated. Providers with more restrictive PrEP beliefs did not have lower odds of initiating patients on PrEP. Women as well as Black and Latinx patients were less likely to be initiated on PrEP. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypotheses, providers' negative PrEP beliefs did not seem to reduce initiation of PrEP for eligible patients. This may be attributable to clear clinical protocols, strong staff support, and training on implementing PrEP in this setting. Racial and gender disparities in PrEP uptake urgently require attention.

Implementing PrEP Services in Diverse Health Care Settings.

BACKGROUND: Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the US has been limited. Evidence for why and how PrEP has been successfully integrated into some clinical settings, but not in others is minimal. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study to identify contextual factors that facilitated and challenged the implementation of PrEP services. SETTING: In partnership with the NYC Department of Health, we convened a planning committee with expertise with groups highly affected by the HIV epidemic employed in diverse health care settings, to guide the project. Representatives from programs within New York were targeted for participation initially and subsequently expanded nationally to enhance diversity in program type. METHODS: Using an interview guide informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we conducted 20 interviews with participants who successfully implemented PrEP programs in different settings (eg, primary care, emergency department, sexual health clinics), using different delivery models. We used template and matrix analysis to identify and characterize contextual determinants and implementation strategies. RESULTS: Participants frequently described determinants and strategies fluidly and conceptualized them in context-specific terms. Commonly discussed Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs included implementation climate (tension for change, compatibility, relatively priority), stakeholders' knowledge (or lack thereof) and beliefs about PrEP, and costs associated with PrEP implementation. CONCLUSION: Our work identifies patterns in PrEP program implementation, describing how organizations dealt with determinants in their own context. Our research points to the need to connect rigorous implementation research with how frontline implementers conceptualize their work to inform and improve PrEP implementation.

Motivations and Barriers to Routine HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City.

In-depth qualitative interviews explored the experiences and understandings of men 18-39 years old who have sex with men that could facilitate or prevent HIV testing and routine HIV testing. For many men who tested frequently, testing and routine testing were motivated by awareness of the benefit of prompt treatment; public health and provider encouragement to test periodically; responsibility towards sexual partners; and wanting to share a recent HIV-negative test result when seeking sex online. For some men, any testing was impeded by anxiety around possible HIV diagnosis that made testing a stressful occasion that required time and energy to prepare for. This anxiety was often compounded by stigma related to sex between men, having condomless sex, or having HIV. Routine testing could be further stigmatized as some men felt judged by testing providers or partners if they asked for a test or said they tested frequently. We describe efforts to promote testing and routine testing by countering fear and stigma associated with HIV and testing.

Reasons for PrEP Discontinuation After Navigation at Sexual Health Clinics: Interactions Among Systemic Barriers, Behavioral Relevance, and Medication Concerns.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention requires engagement throughout the PrEP care continuum. Using data from a PrEP navigation program, we examine reasons for PrEP discontinuation. SETTING: Participants were recruited from New York City Health Department Sexual Health Clinics with PrEP navigation programs. METHODS: Participants completed a survey and up to 3 interviews about PrEP navigation and use. This analysis includes 94 PrEP initiators that were PrEP-naive before their clinic visit, started PrEP during the study, and completed at least 2 interviews. Interview transcripts were reviewed to assess reasons for PrEP discontinuation. RESULTS: Approximately half of PrEP initiators discontinued PrEP during the study period (n = 44; 47%). Most participants (71%) noted systemic issues (insurance or financial problems, clinic or pharmacy logistics, and scheduling barriers) as reasons for discontinuation. One-third cited medication concerns (side effects, potential long-term side effects, and medication beliefs; 32%) and behavioral factors (low relevance of PrEP because of sexual behavior change; 34%) as contributing reasons. Over half (53.5%) highlighted systemic issues alone, while an additional 19% attributed discontinuation to systemic issues in combination with other factors. Of those who discontinued, approximately one-third (30%) restarted PrEP during the follow-up period, citing resolution of systemic issues or behavior change that increased PrEP relevance. CONCLUSIONS: PrEP continuation is dependent on interacting factors and often presents complex hurdles for patients to navigate. To promote sustained engagement in PrEP care, financial, clinic, and pharmacy barriers must be addressed and counseling and navigation should acknowledge factors beyond sexual risk that influence PrEP use.

Combating Stigma Through HIV Self-Testing: New York State's HIV Home Test Giveaway Program for Sexual Minorities.

CONTEXT: Gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic more than any other group. In New York State (NYS) outside of New York City (NYC), MSM accounted for 57% of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 2017. HIV/AIDS home testing initiatives have been effective at getting priority populations tested for HIV. OBJECTIVES: The NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) administered the HIV Home Test Giveaway (HHTG) program through social media and mobile applications popular among the priority populations to (1) promote HIV screening among gay and bisexual men, MSM, transgender (TG), and gender queer/gender nonconforming (GNC) individuals who have sex with men, and (2) identify individuals with undiagnosed HIV infection. DESIGN/SETTING: The NYSDOH recruited participants from NYS (excluding NYC) through social media campaigns between November 2016 and January 2018. Interested individuals were directed to an online eligibility survey. Eligible participants received a coupon via e-mail for a free HIV self-test (HIVST) kit through the manufacturer's Web site. Eligible participants received a $20 to $25 Amazon online gift card if they completed a voluntary online follow-up survey regarding their test results, experiences with the HHTG, and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. Participants were also able to request assistance from the NYSDOH with further testing and various prevention and supportive services. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 6190 individuals participated and 3197 (52%) were eligible and received a coupon. Of the eligible, 2022 (63%) redeemed coupons for HIVST. RESULTS: Among eligible participants, 976 (31%) reported having never been tested for HIV. On the follow-up survey, 922 (29%) participants reported having used the HIVST kit for themselves; 203 (22%) were first-time testers; and 7 (0.8%) tested HIV reactive. Of the follow-up survey participants, 761 (59%) requested assistance with various services. CONCLUSIONS: Media campaigns were effective in promoting HIV testing among priority populations and reaching individuals who have never been tested for HIV.

PrEP Use and Correlates of Use Among a Large, Urban Sample of Men and Transgender Persons Who Have Sex with Men.

We examined recent pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use (past 6 months) and its correlates among a large sample of men who have sex with men and transgender and gender non-conforming persons participating in a home HIV self-testing program conducted by the New York City Health Department between 11/2016 and 1/2017. Correlates examined included demographic characteristics and HIV-related behaviors in the past 6 months. Associations with recent PrEP use were assessed using log-binomial regression. 400 (22.5%) of 1776 participants reported recent PrEP use. In adjusted models, recent PrEP use was associated with Manhattan residence [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.04, 1.53)], higher income [aPR 1.29; 95% CI (1.03, 1.62)], and having insurance [aPR 1.89; 95% CI (1.33, 2.69)]. All HIV-related behaviors, except for injection drug use, were individually associated with PrEP use. More research is needed to better understand barriers to PrEP use among patients who are low income and/or uninsured as this may help improve current public health efforts to increase PrEP uptake among disproportionately impacted populations.

Academic Detailing to Increase Prescribing of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis.

Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis can decrease new cases of HIV by up to 99%, many patients who could benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis never receive prescriptions for it. Because pre-exposure prophylaxis is indicated for patients who do not have an infectious disease, increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis prescribing by primary care and generalist clinicians represents a key element of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative. This review provides an overview of academic detailing and how it is currently being used to increase pre-exposure prophylaxis prescribing. Academic detailing is outreach education that engages with clinicians in 1-to-1 or small group interactions focused on identifying and addressing an individual clinician's needs to increase their use of evidence-based practices. Academic detailing has been proven in multiple previous research studies, and the principles required for successful implementation include interactivity, clinical relevance of content, and focus on defined behavior change objectives. Clinician barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis prescribing may occur in the domains of knowledge, attitudes, or behavior, and academic detailing has the potential to address all of these areas. State and local health departments have developed academic detailing programs focused on pre-exposure prophylaxis prescribing and other elements of HIV prevention-sometimes describing the approach as public health detailing. Few studies of academic detailing for pre-exposure prophylaxis have been published to date; rigorous evaluation of HIV-specific adaptations and innovations of the approach would represent an important contribution. In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in virtual delivery of academic detailing has grown, which could inform efforts to implement academic detailing in rural communities and other underserved areas. Increasing this capacity could make an important contribution to Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. and other HIV prevention efforts.

Public Health Detailing to Promote HIV Pre- and Postexposure Prophylaxis Among Women's Healthcare Providers in New York City.

INTRODUCTION: Equitable access to HIV pre- and postexposure prophylaxis for women is essential to ending the HIV epidemic. Providers' lack of knowledge and comfort in discussing and prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis to women persist as barriers. METHODS: From May to November 2019, the New York City Health Department conducted its first public health detailing campaigns among women's healthcare providers to promote pre- and postexposure prophylaxis and the associated best practices. Over 2 campaigns (10 weeks each), trained Health Department representatives visited providers for 1-on-1 visits at select practices to promote key messages. Representatives distributed an Action Kit that addressed knowledge gaps and practice needs on providing pre-exposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis to cisgender and transgender women. Providers completed an assessment at the beginning of initial and follow-up visits, used to compare responses across visits. Statistically significant changes were evaluated by generalized linear models of bivariate outcomes, adjusted for nonindependence of providers at the same practice. RESULTS: Representatives visited 1,348 providers specializing in primary care (47%), women's health (30%), adolescent health (7%), infectious disease (4%), and other (12%) at 860 sites; 1,097 providers received initial and follow-up visits. Provider report of ever prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis increased by 12% (n=119 providers); increases were reported in measures of taking sexual history, asking about partners' HIV status, providing postexposure prophylaxis, recognizing pre-exposure prophylaxis's effectiveness, and discussing and referring for pre-exposure prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: After public health detailing, women's healthcare providers report increased adoption of recommended practices that promote pre- and postexposure prophylaxis uptake and sexual wellness among women. Detailing may be adaptable to other regions and contexts to reach providers.

Five Waves of an Online HIV Self-Test Giveaway in New York City, 2015 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: HIV self-tests increase HIV status awareness by providing convenience and privacy, although cost and access may limit use. Since 2015, the New York City (NYC) Health Department has conducted 5 waves of an online Home Test Giveaway. METHODS: We recruited adult cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals who had sex with men, who were living in NYC, not previously HIV diagnosed, and using paid digital advertisements (4-8 weeks per wave). Eligible respondents were e-mailed a code to redeem on the manufacturer's website for a free HIV self-test and an online follow-up survey ~2 months later. For key process and outcome measures, we present means across 5 waves. RESULTS: Across the 5 waves of Home Test Giveaway, there were 28,921 responses to the eligibility questionnaire: 17,383 were eligible, 12,182 redeemed a code for a free HIV self-test, and 7935 responded to the follow-up survey (46% of eligible responses). Among eligible responses, approximately half were Latino/a (mean, 32%) or non-Latino/a, black (mean, 17%). Mean report of never testing before was 16%. Among 5903 follow-up survey responses who reported test use, 32 reported reactive results with no known previous diagnosis (0.54%), of whom 78% reported receiving confirmatory testing. Report of likelihood of recommending the Home Test Giveaway to friends was high (mean, 96%). CONCLUSIONS: We recruited diverse NYC MSM and TGNC and distributed a large number of HIV self-tests to them. Among respondents who reported newly reactive tests, the majority reported confirmatory testing. This seems to be one acceptable way to reach MSM and TGNC for HIV testing, including those who have never tested before.

Public Health Detailing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-exposure Prophylaxis.

Despite the promise of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP remains underutilized, often due to clinician factors. Academic or public health detailing is a process by which university and/or government groups employ the marketing practices of pharmaceutical companies to improve clinical practice. We describe the novel application of detailing to increase PrEP prescribing and related care in New York City and New England. Detailing can play a crucial role in PrEP implementation.

Preexposure Prophylaxis Monitoring in New York City: A Public Health Approach.

The scale-up of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) represents a paradigm shift in HIV prevention that poses unique challenges for public health programs. Monitoring of PrEP implementation at the population level is a national priority, with particular significance in New York City (NYC) given the substantial HIV burden and the prominence of PrEP in state and local Ending the Epidemic program plans. We highlight the importance of local monitoring and evaluation of PrEP implementation outcomes and describe the experience at the NYC Health Department, which includes engaging communities, triangulating a variety of data sources regarding PrEP implementation, and leveraging those data to help guide programming. In NYC, we used data from national surveillance systems and incorporated PrEP-related indicators into existing local data collection systems to help illustrate gaps in PrEP awareness and use. Ultimately, ensuring that PrEP achieves the desired impact at the population level depends on identifying disparities through appropriate and accurate measurement, and addressing them through evidence-based programs.

Redefining Prevention and Care: A Status-Neutral Approach to HIV.

Recent biomedical advances inspire hope that an end to the epidemic of HIV is in sight. Adopting new approaches and paradigms for treatment and prevention in terms of both messaging and programming is a priority to accelerate progress. Defining the key sequential steps that comprise engagement in HIV care has provided a useful framework for clinical programs and motivated quality improvement initiatives. Recently, the same approach has been applied to use of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. Building on the various prevention and care continua previously proposed, we present a novel schematic that incorporates both people living with HIV and people at risk, making it effectively "status-neutral" in that it proposes the same approach for engagement, regardless of one's HIV status. This multidirectional continuum begins with an HIV test and offers 2 divergent paths depending on the results; these paths end at a common final state. To illustrate how this continuum can be utilized for program planning as well as for monitoring, we provide an example using data for New York City men who have sex with men, a population with high HIV incidence and prevalence.

Mobility among youth in Rakai, Uganda: Trends, characteristics, and associations with behavioural risk factors for HIV.

Mobility, including migration and travel, influences risk of HIV. This study examined time trends and characteristics among mobile youth (15-24 years) in rural Uganda, and the relationship between mobility and risk factors for HIV. We used data from an annual household census and population-based cohort study in the Rakai district, Uganda. Data on in-migration and out-migration were collected among youth (15-24 years) from 43 communities from 1999 to 2011 (N = 112,117 observations) and travel among youth residents from 2003 to 2008 (N = 18,318 observations). Migration and travel were more common among young women than young men. One in five youth reported out-migration. Over time, out-migration increased among youth and in-migration remained largely stable. Primary reasons for migration included work, living with friends or family, and marriage. Recent travel within Uganda was common and increased slightly over time in teen women (15-19 years old), and young adult men and women (20-24 years old). Mobile youth were more likely to report HIV-risk behaviours including: alcohol use, sexual experience, multiple partners, and inconsistent condom use. Our findings suggest that among rural Ugandan youth, mobility is increasingly common and associated with HIV-risk factors. Knowledge of patterns and characteristics of a young, high-risk mobile population has important implications for HIV interventions.

Pharmacists' Knowledge and Practices Surrounding Expedited Partner Therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis, New York City, 2012 and 2014.

BACKGROUND: Health care providers in New York City can prescribe treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) for a patient's partner without the partner having a medical evaluation ("prescription-expedited partner therapy" [EPT]), and use of prescription-EPT is common. However, there is little known about pharmacists' knowledge and practices surrounding EPT. METHODS: Two cross-sectional surveys, in 2012 and 2014, were conducted with representative samples of supervising pharmacists in NYC neighborhoods with high rates of Ct infection. RESULTS: In both survey years, the majority of pharmacists who agreed to participate returned a survey (2012: 81% [83/103], 2014: 61% [106/173]), and pharmacist and pharmacy characteristics were similar across the 2 surveys. Pharmacists' EPT-related knowledge and practice was generally low, with little change between 2012 and 2014. In both years, fewer than half of pharmacists knew EPT was legal (2012, 46%; 2014, 42%). There were even decreases in specific content knowledge; in 2014, significantly fewer of the pharmacists who knew EPT was legal, knew that the initials "EPT" must be written in the body of the prescription (2012: 58%; 2014: 36%, P < 0.05). Most pharmacists in both survey years reported they had never received an EPT prescription, and those who had reported only infrequent receipt. CONCLUSIONS: NYC pharmacists had low levels of knowledge and familiarity with EPT law and reported infrequent receipt of EPT prescriptions. Pharmacists and providers should be further educated about EPT laws and regulations so that prescription-EPT use can be accurately monitored, and to assure the success of this partner treatment strategy.