Perspectives of US women participating in a candidate PrEP study: adherence, acceptability and future use intentions

IntroductionLimited data exist on acceptability of candidate preâ exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens among US women. We evaluated PrEP experiences, attitudes and future use intentions among sexually active women who completed the USâ based HIV Prevention Trials Network 069/AIDS Clinical Trials Group 5305 study.MethodsWomen participated in the study between March 2013 and November 2015. We analysed computerâ assisted selfâ interview (CASI) surveys among 130 women and conducted inâ depth interviews among a subset of 26 women from three sites. Interviews were conducted in mid/lateâ 2015.ResultsMost women (57%) reported very good/excellent PrEP adherence on CASI, although 21% acknowledged overâ reporting adherence at least some of the time. Commitment to preventing HIV infection, a sense of ownership of the study, and keeping pills stored in a visible location facilitated adherence. Adherence barriers included â simply forgettingâ and being away from home. Most women interviewed did not intend to use PrEP in the future because of lack of perceived need due to their own (as opposed to their partnersâ ) lowâ risk behaviour and concerns about affordability â but not because of side effects or other characteristics of the regimens.DiscussionImproving HIV prevention options for US women will require access to affordable PrEP as well as expanding women’s understanding of relationshipâ and communityâ level factors that increase their risk of acquiring HIV.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148389/1/jia225247_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148389/2/jia225247.pd