Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Providers in Birmingham, Alabama, and New York City, New York, Identify Critical Barriers to Newer Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Strategies: A Mixed Methods Study.

Abstract: Young Black and Latino men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by the U.S. HIV Epidemic, yet pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remains low. To understand barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake and persistence, we used a concurrent mixed methods design (quantitative: online surveys, n = 19; qualitative: individual interviews, n = 15) from providers (e.g., nurse practitioners, clinicians, and social workers) at 4 clinics providing PrEP services in Birmingham, Alabama and New York City. Although all providers were comfortable prescribing daily oral PrEP, they had concerns about on-demand PrEP (e.g., complex dosing schedule) and injectable PrEP (e.g., insurance barriers). Provider training is needed to address barriers to providing PrEP modalities beyond daily oral PrEP and increase uptake among young Black and Latino men who have sex with men. Additionally, in order to increase uptake of injectable PrEP, rising PrEP costs due to changes in the 340B Drug Pricing Program will need to be addressed.