Determinants of Preexposure Prophylaxis Cascade Among Sexual and Gender Minorities in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). We evaluated the characteristics associated with engagement in 7 steps of the PrEP cascade among SGMs in Nigeria.

METHODS

Sexual and gender minorities without HIV from the Abuja site of TRUST/RV368 cohort who were surveyed on awareness of and willingness to use PrEP were approached for PrEP initiation upon availability of oral daily PrEP. To understand gaps in the uptake of oral daily PrEP, we categorized the HIV PrEP cascade as (i) education about PrEP, (ii) interest in PrEP, (iii) successful contact, (iv) appointment scheduled, (v) appointment attendance, (vi) PrEP initiation, and (vii) plasma protective levels of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with each of the 7 steps in the HIV PrEP cascade.

RESULTS

Of 788 participants, 718 (91.1%) showed interest in taking oral daily PrEP every day and/or after a sexual act, 542 (68.8%) were successfully contacted, 433 (54.9%) scheduled an appointment, 409 (51.9%) attended a scheduled appointment, 400 (50.8%) initiated oral daily PrEP, and 59 (7.4%) had protective levels of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Of initiators of PrEP, 23 (5.8%) seroconverted at a rate of 13.9 cases/100 person-years. Better social support, larger network density, and higher education were associated with engagement in 4 to 5 components of the cascade.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data highlight a gap between willingness and actual PrEP use. Despite PrEP's effectiveness in preventing HIV, the optimal impact of PrEP for SGMs in sub-Saharan Africa will require multifaceted approaches that combine social support, education, and destigmatization.

Breaking Inertia: Movement Along the PrEP Cascade in a Longitudinal US National Cohort of Sexual Minority Individuals at Risk for HIV

BACKGROUND

The pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cascade outlines sequential steps to maximize PrEP's impact and highlights potential intervention targets to improve PrEP implementation. We evaluate the PrEP cascade in the Together 5000 study (T5K).

METHODS

T5K is an internet-based, US national cohort study of PrEP-eligible men and trans persons who have sex with men who were not taking PrEP at enrollment. Using longitudinal data from baseline (2017-2018) and year 1 follow-up (2018-2019, n = 4229), we evaluated 5 steps of the PrEP cascade-PrEP contemplation: believes they are a good candidate for PrEP; PrEParation: plans to initiate PrEP; PrEP action: speaks to a provider about PrEP; PrEP initiation: receives a prescription for PrEP; and PrEP maintenance: continues to take PrEP. We compared the cascade across geographic region and identified factors associated with gaps in the cascade.

RESULTS

After 1 year, 1092 (26%) participants had initiated PrEP, 709 (17%) were still using PrEP, and 177 (4%) were no longer clinically indicated for PrEP. Participants in the South and Midwest were less likely to speak to a provider about PrEP or initiate PrEP. Baseline characteristics associated with lower odds of PrEP initiation at year 1 include: not having a college degree; earning <$20,000/year; not having health insurance; having very low food security; and not having a primary care doctor.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of health care access is a major barrier to PrEP implementation and may exacerbate disparities in PrEP uptake across geographic regions.