Improving Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake as an HIV Prevention Strategy Among Higher Risk Hispanic Men: A Quality Improvement Project

Introduction Correct and persistent Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake is an evidence-based preventive measure that prevents at-risk populations from sexual transmission of HIV infection. Research-based studies have affirmed that PrEP can lower the risk of HIV infection by more than 90% when swallowed as required (Alzate-Duque et al., 2021). Evidence on HIV prevention suggests that taking PrEP as prescribed has 99% efficacy in HIV prevention (Grove et al., 2021). However, PrEP care continuum requires awareness and education about PrEP services to ensure successful implementation and adherence in at-risk populations including Hispanic males who have sex with males. Numerous settings, including primary care practices, STI clinics, and community-based organizations (CBOs), have investigated critical aspects of PrEP care continuum and strategies to best offer PrEP services. Though PrEP uptake has been on the rise recently, Carnevale et al. (2020) aver that the highest-risk populations, such as males Hispanic, and other minorities lacking access to community health centers (CHCs) remain under-prescribed PrEP medication. Evidently, daily PrEP is effective in lowering the acquisition of HIV for Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM), PWID, bisexuals, heterosexual couples, discordant sexual partners, and sex workers. The objectives of this scholarly project is to create an educational program about PrEP based on Center of Disease Control guidelines and protocols to increase promotion and improve PrEP uptake among Hispanic males who have sex with males. Methodology An electronic pre-test questionary survey, a voice Power-Point educational training, and post-test questionary survey was delivery to the participants after the IRB from Florida International University approved the qualitative improvement project implementation. Results: The survey/pre-test was completed by 11 participants. The mean of the pre-test/survey was 3.63 with Standard Deviation (SD) of 3.55. The post- test/post survey mean was 8.81 with a standard deviation (SD) of 2.96. The result implied that primary care providers learned from the Quality Improvement Project Intervention. The primary care providers increased PrEP knowledge by 45%. The paired t-Test shows two tailed values of 0.1178 which it is statistically significant. Conclusion: The educational training intervention successfully increased the knowledge and awareness of Primary Care Providers about PrEP, thus increasing education, awareness, and uptake of PrEP among Hispanic males at risk of HIV. Ongoing education and updating of PrEP guidelines are vital to increase the uptake of PrEP among Hispanic males at risk of HIV and further halt the HIV epidemic. However, most essential to prevent HIV in vulnerable populations such as Hispanic males who have sex with males