Disproportionate rates of HIV are observed in Black women and men, especially in the Southern U.S. We observed limited uptake of PrEP services in our Southern community among these groups, particularly Black MSM relative to new HIV cases in Birmingham, AL; 18% accessed PrEP services compared to 50% of new HIV cases. Further research is needed to understand PrEP access and uptake in high-risk populations.

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HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively prevents HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM), but PrEP uptake has been associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The effect of PrEP on STIs in MSM in the Deep South of the United States is unknown. We performed a retrospective analysis of adult MSM at an American Deep South PrEP clinic to calculate the prevalence and incidence rate of bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) and identify associated risk factors by linking incident STI to patient-reported outcomes; 139 MSM accessed the clinic between 2014 and 2018 with baseline bacterial STI prevalence of 11%. Twenty-six of 81 eligible MSM on PrEP had incident STIs with an incidence rate of 33.1 cases per 100 person-years. Significantly higher proportions of high PrEP adherence, multiple sexual partners, and inconsistent condom use were seen in those with incident STI, and we identified MSM with both high PrEP adherence and multiple sexual partners as being at especially high risk for bacterial STIs (hazard ratio: 7.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.75–32.74). Bacterial STIs are common after initiating PrEP in this clinic, and MSM reporting high PrEP adherence and multiple sexual partners have a significant risk for incident STI. High-risk sexual behaviors persisted after starting PrEP, highlighting the importance of ongoing, intensive sexual health screening and interventions.

BackgroundPre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively prevents HIV acquisition in men who have sex with men (MSM), if taken appropriately. Effective PrEP requires persistence in PrEP care. We defined the PrEP care continuum in a Deep South PrEP clinic and examined factors related to persistence in care among MSM.MethodsWe reviewed data for MSM at a university-affiliated PrEP clinic in Birmingham, AL from 2014–2018 to define the PrEP continuum at five major steps: screening, initial visit, follow-up visit, current persistence, and self-reported adherence. We defined persistence as attending a PrEP clinic visit in the last 6 months and nonpersistence as prior attendance without a visit in the last 6 months. We compared demographics, insurance status, and patient-reported behaviors from initial and most recent visits between those who persisted (“persisters”) and did not (“non-persisters”) using Wilcoxon rank sum, chi-square, or Fisher’s exact test.Results226 (100%) MSM were screened, 141 (62%) MSM attended an initial visit, 116 (51%) MSM attended follow-up, 43 (19.0%) persisted in PrEP care, and 29 (13%) MSM self-reported good adherence (figure). Among 139 MSM (46 persisters, 93 nonpersisters), persisters were older than nonpersisters (33 vs. 32 yr, P = 0.03), and were less likely to report inconsistent condom use at their initial visit (48% vs. 73%; P = 0.01) as compared with their last visit (69% vs. 63%, P = 0.13). 23% of persisters and 29% of nonpersisters were black (P = 0.39), and 98% of persisters and 90% of nonpersisters were insured (P = 0.50). 60% of persisters and 74% of nonpersisters had multiple sex partners at initial visit (P = 0.19) as compared with 56% and 60% at their last visit, respectively (P = 0.83).ConclusionAt a Deep South PrEP clinic, persistence overall was poor for MSM. More nonpersisters had inconsistent condom use, indicating higher risk despite nonpersistence. Although not statistically significant, nonpersisters were more likely to be black, uninsured, and have multiple sexual partners when compared with persisters. Disparities seen nationally in new HIV diagnoses are reflected in nonpersisters. Nonpersisters may not realize the extent of their risk of HIV acquisition and warrant intensive engagement interventions. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Many thanks to Dr. Clement et al. for their interest in our brief report, which highlighted the disparate uptake of PrEP by populations that are most affected by the HIV epidemic, in particular Black MSM in the United States Deep South. In our brief report, it was emphasized that community-based support systems, as well as, targeted messaging, and novel strategies may be necessary to increase uptake of PrEP in this high-risk population. As evident by our primary referral source, most patients in our cohort were referred by a sexual partner (34%) or healthcare provider (21%), and not by a community based organization (8%). This likely contributed to our initial PrEP cohort demographics, with underrepresentation of Black MSM.