BACKGROUND: Adolescents account for 15% of new HIV cases in Kenya. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are highly effective prevention tools, but uptake is low among adolescents, particularly in resource-limited settings. We assessed awareness and acceptability of PrEP and PEP among Kenyan adolescents.
METHODS: Focus group discussions were conducted with 120 adolescent boys and girls ages 15 to 19 in Kisumu. Data were analyzed using the Framework Approach.
RESULTS: Adolescent participants often had not heard of or could not differentiate between PrEP and PEP. They also confused these HIV prevention tools with emergency contraceptives. Taking a daily pill to prevent HIV was perceived as analogous to taking a pill to treat HIV. Boys were aware of and willing to consider using PrEP and PEP due to their dislike for using condoms. Adolescents identified insufficient information, cost, and uncomfortableness speaking with healthcare workers about their HIV prevention needs due to sexuality stigma as barriers to using PrEP and PEP.
CONCLUSIONS: Low awareness and poor understanding of PrEP and PEP among adolescents reveal the need for increased education and sensitization about these HIV prevention options. Expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services that are tailored to the needs of adolescents and staffed with non-judgmental providers could help reduce sexuality stigma as a barrier to accessing care. New HIV prevention approaches such as long-acting injectables or implants, on-demand regimens, and multipurpose prevention technologies may encourage increased uptake of PrEP and PEP by adolescents.

Seroprevalence of lyssaviruses in certain bat species has been proven in the Republic of Croatia, but there have been no confirmed positive bat brain isolates or human fatalities associated with bat injuries/bites. The study included a retrospective analysis of bat injuries/bites, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and geographic distribution of bat injuries in persons examined at the Zagreb Antirabies Clinic, the Croatian Reference Centre for Rabies. In the period 1995-2020, we examined a total of 21,910 patients due to animal injuries, of which 71 cases were bat-related (0.32%). Of the above number of patients, 4574 received rabies PEP (20.87%). However, for bat injuries, the proportion of patients receiving PEP was significantly higher: 66 out of 71 patients (92.95%). Of these, 33 received only the rabies vaccine, while the other 33 patients received the vaccine with human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG). In five cases, PEP was not administered, as there was no indication for treatment. Thirty-five of the injured patients were biologists or biology students (49.29%). The bat species was confirmed in only one of the exposure cases. This was a serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus), a known carrier of Lyssavirus hamburg. The results showed that the bat bites were rather sporadic compared to other human injuries caused by animal bites. All bat injuries should be treated as if they were caused by a rabid animal, and according to WHO recommendations. People who come into contact with bats should be strongly advised to be vaccinated against rabies. Entering bat habitats should be done with caution and in accordance with current recommendations, and nationwide surveillance should be carried out by competent institutions and in close collaboration between bat experts, epidemiologists and rabies experts.

There is scant knowledge regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among female sex workers (FSWs) in Europe. Spain recognized FSWs as a population at high risk of acquiring HIV and granted them subsidized access to PrEP when the medication first became nationally available in 2019. Nevertheless, FSWs represented just 0.2% of PrEP users in 2022. A total of 102 HIV-negative FSWs reached through field activities of local NGOs located in Madrid were interviewed between January and March 2022. Participants were selected through convenience sampling over a fixed recruitment period. FSWs completed a 73-item survey with questions about individual, occupational, social, and structural determinants. The objective of this study was to identify (1) the prevalence of intention to use oral PrEP and its determinants, and (2) the prevalence of inconsistent condom use, which is the risk factor that qualifies FSWs for subsidized PrEP in the national health system, and its determinants. Importantly, the study sample overrepresented street-based FSWs (71.6%). A quarter (25.5%) of the study participants used condoms inconsistently. PrEP awareness was low (9.8%), but intention to use PrEP was high (72.5%). Intention to use oral PrEP was significantly associated with feeling protected against HIV by taking PrEP and perceiving insufficient protection by condom use alone. Inconsistent condom use was significantly associated with frequent heroin/cocaine use, having clients who inject drugs, and willingness to take PrEP despite it not protecting 100% against HIV infection. FSWs, in this specific sample, are likely to benefit from targeted PrEP awareness campaigns and implementation projects that prioritize those who use drugs and are more likely to engage in condomless sex.

We evaluated correlates of adherence to PrEP, including daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination emtricitabine (oral FTC/TDF) and the monthly dapivirine ring (ring)among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in the MTN-034/REACH study. We enrolled 247 AGYW aged 16-21 years in South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03074786). Participants were randomized to the order of oral FTC/TDF or ring use for 6 months each in a crossover period, followed by a 6-month choice period. We assessed potential adherence correlates-individual, interpersonal, community, study, and product-related factors-quarterly via self-report. We measured biomarkers of adherence monthly; high adherence was defined as > 4 mg dapivirine released from returned rings or intracellular tenofovir diphosphate levels ≥ 700 fmol/punch from dried blood spots (DBS). We tested associations between correlates and objective measures of high adherence using generalized estimating equations. High adherence to oral FTC/TDF was significantly associated with having an older primary partner (p = 0.04), not having exchanged sex in the past 3 months (p = 0.02), and rating oral FTC/TDF as highly acceptable (p = 0.003). High ring adherence was significantly associated with unstable housing (p = 0.01), disclosing ring use to a male family member (p = 0.01), and noting a social benefit from study participation (p = 0.03). All associations were moderate, corresponding to about 6%-10% difference in the proportion with high adherence. In our multinational study, correlates of adherence among African AGYW differed for oral FTC/TDF and the ring, highlighting the benefit of offering multiple PrEP options.

Structural racism and discrimination (SRD) is deeply embedded across U.S. healthcare institutions, but its impact on health outcomes is challenging to assess. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to understand the impact of SRD on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care continuum outcomes across U.S. populations who could benefit from HIV prevention. Guided by PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of the published literature up to September 2023 using PubMed and PsycInfo and included peer-reviewed articles meeting inclusion criteria. At least two authors independently screened studies, performed quality assessments, and abstracted data relevant to the topic. Exposure variables included race/ethnicity and any level of SRD (interpersonal, intra- and extra-organizational SRD). Outcomes consisted of any steps of the PrEP care continuum. A total of 66 studies met inclusion criteria and demonstrated the negative impact of SRD on the PrEP care continuum. At the interpersonal level, medical mistrust (i.e., lack of trust in medical organizations and professionals rooted from current or historical practices of discrimination) was negatively associated with almost all the steps across the PrEP care continuum: individuals with medical mistrust were less likely to have PrEP knowledge, adhere to PrEP care, and be retained in care. At the intra-organizational level, PrEP prescription was lower for Black patients due to healthcare provider perception of higher sex-risk behaviors. At the extra-organizational level, factors such as homelessness, low socioeconomic status, and incarceration were associated with decreased PrEP uptake. On the other hand, healthcare provider trust, higher patient education, and access to health insurance were associated with increased PrEP use and retention in care. In addition, analyses using race/ethnicity as an exposure did not consistently show associations with PrEP continuum outcomes. We found that SRD has a negative impact at all steps of the PrEP care continuum. Our results suggest that when assessing the effects of race/ethnicity without the context of SRD, certain relationships and associations are missed. Addressing multi-level barriers related to SRD are needed to reduce HIV transmission and promote health equity.

BACKGROUND: Racial inequities in HIV in the United States (US) are pervasive. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one of the most effective yet underutilized HIV prevention strategies, and stark inequities in PrEP uptake exist. Lack of access to PrEP clinics is a major barrier to access that could be overcome by integrating pharmacists into the provision of PrEP services including prescribing and dispensing.
METHODS: A number of reviews have shown promise in folding pharmacies into the expansion of PrEP services, but this review extends those by examining the implementation science evidence of pharmacist-led PrEP services in the US. We reviewed literature over the past five years of the implementation science of pharmacist PrEP services (2018-2023) and present seminal findings in this area.
RESULTS: Only two studies are anchored within an implementation science framework despite all studies assessing common implementation science constructs. Overwhelming evidence supports feasibility and adoption of PrEP services in pharmacies yet gaps in workflow integration, scalability and sustainability exist.
CONCLUSIONS: Continuing to build the implementation science evidence of pharmacy-based PrEP services is critical to standardize our measures across varying contexts and inform policy efforts that support pharmacy-based PrEP services.

This study explored interest in injectable PrEP (I-PrEP) and willingness to participate in clinical trials testing new biomedical HIV prevention strategies among men and transfeminine persons who have sex with men (MSM & TGP), using data collected in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 075 study, which took place at sites in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa. Data result from a survey among 267 18-44 years old HIV negative participants, complemented with semi-structured interviews with 80 purposively recruited persons. Correlations coefficients were calculated to identify demographic and psychosocial factors associated with interest in I-PrEP. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using concept-driven and subsequent data-driven coding. Most surveyed participants expressed an interest in I-PrEP. Quantitatively, only being interested in other HIV prevention measures was associated with interest in I-PrEP. Qualitatively, most participants preferred I-PrEP to O-PrEP and remained interested in I-PrEP despite barriers such as the somewhat invasive nature of the procedure and potential side effects of I-PrEP. Interest in I-PrEP was driven by the possibility of avoiding sexual or HIV stigma. Access to healthcare and altruism-such as assisting in the development of new HIV prevention methods-positively impacted willingness to participate in clinical trials. With I-PrEP favored by most participants, it is potentially a critical tool to prevent HIV infection among MSM & TGP in sub-Saharan Africa, with the mitigation of stigma as a major advance. Recruitment of MSM & TGP in biobehavioral clinical trials seems feasible, with altruistic reasons and receiving I-PrEP and free medical care as major motivators.
RESULTS: Este estudio exploró el interés en la PrEP inyectable (I-PrEP) y la voluntad de participar en ensayos clínicos que prueban nuevas estrategias biomédicas de prevención del VIH entre hombres y personas transfemeninas que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH y TGP), utilizando datos recopilados en la Red de Ensayos de Prevención del VIH. (HPTN) 075, que se llevó a cabo en sitios de Kenia, Malawi y Sudáfrica. Los datos son el resultado de una encuesta entre 267 participantes VIH negativos de entre 18 y 44 años, complementada con entrevistas semiestructuradas con 80 personas reclutadas intencionalmente. Se calcularon coeficientes de correlación para identificar factores demográficos y psicosociales asociados con el interés en la I-PrEP. Las entrevistas cualitativas se analizaron mediante codificación basada en conceptos y, posteriormente, basada en datos. La mayoría de los participantes encuestados expresaron interés en la I-PrEP. Cuantitativamente, sólo estar interesado en otras medidas de prevención del VIH se asoció con el interés en la I-PrEP. Cualitativamente, la mayoría de los participantes prefirieron la I-PrEP a la O-PrEP y siguieron interesados en la I-PrEP a pesar de barreras como la naturaleza algo invasiva del procedimiento y los posibles efectos secundarios de la I-PrEP. El interés en la I-PrEP fue impulsado por la posibilidad de evitar el estigma sexual o del VIH. El acceso a la atención sanitaria y el altruismo (como la asistencia en el desarrollo de nuevos métodos de prevención del VIH) tuvieron un impacto positivo en la voluntad de participar en ensayos clínicos. Dado que la mayoría de los participantes prefieren la I-PrEP, es potencialmente una herramienta crítica para prevenir la infección por VIH entre HSH y TGP en el África subsahariana, con la mitigación del estigma como un avance importante. El reclutamiento de HSH y TGP en ensayos clínicos bioconductuales parece factible, con razones altruistas y recibir I-PrEP y atención médica gratuita como principales motivadores.

BACKGROUND: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at reducing HIV transmission. However, PrEP uptake is low for racial and ethnic minorities and women, especially in the Southern US Health care clinicians should be prepared to identify all patients eligible for PrEP, provide counseling, and prescribe PrEP.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of persons newly diagnosed with HIV was conducted at a large public health system from January 2015 to June 2021. Interactions with the health system in the 5 years preceding HIV diagnosis were analyzed, and missed opportunities for HIV prevention interventions, including PrEP and condom use counseling, were identified.
RESULTS: We identified 454 patients with a new HIV diagnosis with previous health system interactions. 166(36.6%) had at least 1 identifiable indication for PrEP: 42(9.3%) bacterial STI, 63(13.9%) inconsistent condom use, or 82(18%) injection drug use before HIV diagnosis. Only 7(1.5%) of patients were counseled on PrEP. Most patients (308; 67.8%) had no documented condom use history in the EHR before diagnosis, a surrogate marker for obtaining a sexual history. Patients who exclusively interacted with the emergency care setting did not receive PrEP education and were less likely to receive condom use counseling.
CONCLUSIONS: Missed opportunities to offer HIV prevention before diagnosis were common among patients newly diagnosed with HIV. Most patients did not have sexual history documented in the chart before their HIV diagnosis. Educational interventions are needed to ensure that clinicians are prepared to identify those eligible and discuss the benefits of PrEP.

BACKGROUND: In Africa, the delivery of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at public healthcare clinics is challenged by understaffing, overcrowding, and HIV-associated stigma, often resulting in low PrEP uptake and continuation among clients. Giving clients the option to refill PrEP at nearby private pharmacies, which are often more convenient and have shorter wait times, may address these challenges and improve PrEP continuation.
METHODS: This mixed methods study used an explanatory sequential design. At two public clinics in Kiambu County, Kenya, clients ≥ 18 years initiating PrEP were given the option to refill PrEP at the clinic where they initiated for free or at one of three nearby private pharmacies for 300 Kenyan Shillings (~ $3 US Dollars). The providers at these pharmacies (pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists) were trained in PrEP service delivery using a prescribing checklist and provider-assisted HIV self-testing, both with remote clinician oversight. Clients were followed up to seven months, with scheduled refill visits at one, four, and seven months. The primary outcomes were selection of pharmacy-based PrEP refills and PrEP continuation. Following pilot completion, 15 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with clients who refilled PrEP were completed. We used descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to assess study outcomes.
RESULTS: From November 2020 to November 2021, 125 PrEP clients were screened and 106 enrolled. The majority (59%, 63/106) of clients were women and the median age was 31 years (IQR 26-38 years). Over 292 client-months of follow-up, 41 clients (39%) refilled PrEP; only three (3%) at a participating pharmacy. All clients who completed IDIs refilled PrEP at clinics. The reasons why clients did not refill PrEP at pharmacies included: a preference for clinic-delivered PrEP services (i.e., pre-existing relationships, access to other services), concerns about pharmacy-delivered PrEP services (i.e., mistrust, lower quality care, costs), and lack of knowledge of this refill location.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that clients who initiate PrEP at public clinics in Kenya may have already overcome barriers to clinic-delivered PrEP services and prefer PrEP access there. To reach new populations that could benefit from PrEP, a stand-alone model of pharmacy-delivered PrEP services may be needed.
BACKGROUND: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04558554 [registered: June 5, 2020].

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