Presenting Author: Marisa Felsher, MPH, DrPH(c), Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health

ABSTRACT

Background: Daily, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV. Few studies have focused on screening high-risk populations for PrEP-eligibility during community-based rapid HIV testing.

Objectives: To assess PrEP eligibility, awareness and intention among individuals accessing rapid HIV testing.

Methods: HIV negative individuals, over 18, were recruited from 4 community-based rapid HIV testing sites in Philadelphia. We developed a 6-question PrEP-eligibility screening tool based on 2014 CDC PrEP clinical guidelines. The tool was incorporated into a cross-sectional study assessing PrEP attitudes among individuals undergoing community-based rapid HIV testing. Descriptive statistics were used to assess PrEP awareness, eligibility and intention.

Results: The sample (n=168) is 68.5% male, with race/ethnicity Black (45.2%), Hispanic/Latino (34.5%) and White (15.5%), mean age of 42. Among participants, 60.7% were heterosexual, 17.9% were men who have sex with men (MSM), and 14.9% reported injection drug use. The majority (74.4%) had not heard of PrEP. 31% of our total sample was eligible for PrEP: 34.3% of heterosexual men and women, 56.7% of MSM, and 64% of persons who inject drugs (PWID). 64% of PWID were eligible for PrEP compared to 25.2% of non-PWID participants (p less than.01). 56.7% of MSM were eligible compared to 25.4% non MSM (p less than.01). Among participants eligible for PrEP, 63.5% indicated that they were likely to use PrEP in the future.

Implications: We identified a diverse at-risk population through community-based HIV testing. Having rapid HIV testers screen for PrEP eligibility may be an effective way to increase PrEP awareness and uptake.

Authors: Marisa Felsher, MPH, DrPH(c); Zsofi Szep, MD, MSCE; Ana Martinez-Donate, PhD; and Alexis Roth, PhD, MPH.