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Research article
Jill Blumenthal
University of California San Diego
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2307-9108
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Prior to implementing a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration study, we sought to explore cisgender women’s experiences with HIV prevention, PrEP knowledge and attitudes, and anticipated barriers and facilitators for PrEP uptake and adherence in Southern California.
Methods: Three focus groups were held with cisgender women of mixed HIV serostatus in San Diego (n=12) and Los Angeles (n=10) between November 2015 and January 2016. Women were recruited through local testing sites, community-based organizations, and social media. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Despite limited prior PrEP knowledge and no PrEP experience, participants expressed interest in taking PrEP. Anticipated benefits were freedom from worry about HIV and control over sexual health; however, these were tempered by concerns including the possibility of increased HIV risk behaviors and potential side effects. Cisgender women reported potential barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence barriers, like competing priorities and poor PrEP access. Conversely, PrEP facilitators included utilizing practical tools such as phone apps and pill boxes as well as receiving encouragement from loved ones and support from other cisgender women on PrEP, women living with HIV, and their medical providers.
Conclusions: Despite limited PrEP knowledge and acknowledgement of concerns and potential barriers to taking PrEP, participants recognized the importance of PrEP and ways to facilitate adherence. Exploring perspectives of cisgender women is integral to developing effective interventions to support PrEP uptake and adherence for women at elevated risk for HIV.
Trial Registration: Not applicable
Keywords
pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP Demonstration Project, PrEP Knowledge, Attitudes, Women
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Posted 28 Jan, 2021
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Editorial decision: Major revision
On 06 Mar, 2021
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Received 05 Mar, 2021
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Received 25 Feb, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 25 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #5 agreed
On 15 Feb, 2021
Review #5 received
Received 15 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 07 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 03 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 01 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 30 Jan, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 29 Jan, 2021
Editor assigned
On 28 Jan, 2021
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A new preprint design is coming!
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Women's Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Jill Blumenthal
University of California San Diego
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2307-9108
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 28 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 06 Mar, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 05 Mar, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 25 Feb, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 25 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #5 agreed
On 15 Feb, 2021
Review #5 received
Received 15 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 07 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 03 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 01 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 30 Jan, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 29 Jan, 2021
Editor assigned
On 28 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 23 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 18 Jan, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Prior to implementing a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration study, we sought to explore cisgender women’s experiences with HIV prevention, PrEP knowledge and attitudes, and anticipated barriers and facilitators for PrEP uptake and adherence in Southern California.
Methods: Three focus groups were held with cisgender women of mixed HIV serostatus in San Diego (n=12) and Los Angeles (n=10) between November 2015 and January 2016. Women were recruited through local testing sites, community-based organizations, and social media. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Despite limited prior PrEP knowledge and no PrEP experience, participants expressed interest in taking PrEP. Anticipated benefits were freedom from worry about HIV and control over sexual health; however, these were tempered by concerns including the possibility of increased HIV risk behaviors and potential side effects. Cisgender women reported potential barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence barriers, like competing priorities and poor PrEP access. Conversely, PrEP facilitators included utilizing practical tools such as phone apps and pill boxes as well as receiving encouragement from loved ones and support from other cisgender women on PrEP, women living with HIV, and their medical providers.
Conclusions: Despite limited PrEP knowledge and acknowledgement of concerns and potential barriers to taking PrEP, participants recognized the importance of PrEP and ways to facilitate adherence. Exploring perspectives of cisgender women is integral to developing effective interventions to support PrEP uptake and adherence for women at elevated risk for HIV.
Trial Registration: Not applicable
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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