Barriers and facilitators to providing human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis decision support to black patients in Canada: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare settings can build towards a specific social environment, in which Black patients can make informed health decisions, including those about whether or not to use PrEP. We utilize self-determination theory for guidance to identify the extent to which current HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) decision support practices from healthcare professionals (HCP) are autonomy supportive. This identifies future developments and implementations of interventions for HCP capacity building to enhance the autonomy of Black patients who are considering using PrEP. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design for examining HCPs' perspectives on delivering quality PrEP usage-related decision support. Through a cross-sectional online survey of 24 HCP from 10 community-based health centers serving in Toronto, Canada, descriptive statistics were characterized in close-ended survey data and sample.  Open-ended survey responses were analyzed using Q- sorting methodology. Results: Of the HCP, 40%  were willing to provide PrEP decision support to Black-identified patients. HCP reported barriers of needing education about PrEP and available resources (96%) There’s a need for more education and resources to facilitate decision support for Black patients to improve decision support and reduce PrEP uptake disparities. Conclusion: It is imperative that cultural humility in healthcare is upheld to provide informed decision support since not only health conditions vary from patient to patient, but life experiences and background are equally crucial to the health status of that individual. Competence development among HCP can take the forms of providing training to increase cultural humility awareness, knowledge, and skills that can build towards an environment in which Black patients are informed about and for their health decisions.