Anti-PREP (aa 180-229) polyclonal antibody

Black women contract HIV at much higher rates than White or Hispanic women. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an underutilized prevention tool among this population. We sought to determine participants' interest in PrEP and facilitators and barriers to PrEP adoption. This longitudinal, qualitative study included 30 Black women (M-age = 32.2) interviewed 4 times over 6 months. Most participants had never heard of PrEP and a majority expressed initial interest. Barriers to PrEP initiation included low perceived HIV risk, medical mistrust, provider experiences and knowledge, negative reactions from family and friends, low perceived efficacy to adherence, and transportation. This study demonstrated actual, rather than hypothetical, PrEP interest and attitudes among Black women, and the barriers that arose over time during the study. PrEP awareness needs to be promoted among Black women and medical providers. Future research should address individual risk perception, medical mistrust, increasing social support, and decreasing transportation barriers.

The effects of mental health comorbidities and social support on the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care continuum are unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional study of men and transgender individuals, >= 18 years-old, with >= 2 male or transgender partners, or recent condomless anal intercourse. Surveys assessed demographics, mental health treatment, depressive symptomatology, social support, and PrEP-related social contacts. Logistic regression assessed associations between these factors and PrEP uptake and persistence. Participants (n = 247) were 89% cis-male and 46% African-American. Median age was 27 (IQR:23-33). Thirty-seven percent had ever used PrEP, of whom 18% discontinued use. High depressive symptomology was identified in 11% and 9% were receiving mental health treatment. There were no significant associations between depressive symptoms or mental health treatment on the odds of PrEP uptake or discontinuation. Each additional PrEP contact conferred a greater odds of uptake (aOR:1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.42). Network-level targets may produce fruitful interventions to increase PrEP uptake.