Knowledge, Attitudes, and Likelihood of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use Among US Women at Risk of Acquiring HIV

Abstract

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for women at risk of HIV infection in the US in July 2012, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance for clinicians to provide PrEP to women ''at substantial risk of HIV acquisition'' in May 2014, there remain no clinical trial data on efficacy among US women, and there is a dearth of research on knowledge, attitudes, and likelihood of use of PrEP among them. We conducted a qualitative focus group (FG) study with 144 at-risk women in six US cities between July and September 2013, including locations in the Southern US, where HIV infections among women are most prevalent. FG questions elicited awareness of PrEP, attitudes about administration and uptake, and barriers to and facilitators of use. Women expressed anger at the fact that they had not heard of PrEP prior to the study, but once informed most found it attractive. PrEP was seen as additional, not substitute protection to condoms, and participants suggested several dissemination strategies to meet the diverse needs of women. Key barriers to PrEP uptake included distrust of the medical system, stigma, and cost. Findings suggest that US women view PrEP as an important prevention option, assuming side effects and the cost to the consumer are minimal, the efficacy of the drug is reasonable, and PrEP is delivered by trusted providers in trusted venues.

The Potential of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Women in Violent Relationships

“…[46][47][48] A recent focus group study of women in six US cities found that although almost none of the participants had heard of PrEP before the study took place, many said they would use PrEP if available. 46 In a study assessing attitudes toward PrEP uptake and adherence, young adult women who experienced IPV reported greater willingness to take PrEP than those who had not. Furthermore, younger women who had experienced IPV were less embarrassed to ask healthcare providers for PrEP than younger women who had not experienced IPV.…”

Awareness, Interest, and HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Candidacy Among Young Transwomen

“…Studies have found lack of awareness and poor dissemination of PrEP information among adult transwomen, 5 cisgender women, 8 and even gay and other MSM. 9,10 Arguably, cisgender women and MSM have had some access to PrEP as they have been targets of clinical trials, and in San Francisco, MSM have been the primary target of interventions to promote PrEP.…”

Creating and sustaining healthy work environment for professional advancement in health care institutions: a case study of nursing students’ clinical posting in Abia State

“…Studies have shown that for enhanced skills in good interpersonal and interprofessional relationships, advocacy, community mobilization, monitoring and evaluation are needed. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Nursing students require trainings in inter-professional and interpersonal education to prepare them for effective and quality health care services during clinical postings. These trainings are necessary to reduce the unhealthy work environments that contribute to medical errors, ineffective health care delivery, conflicts and stresses among health care professionals.…”