2092. Update on PrEP Knowledge and Attitudes Among Adults Attending Public Health Clinics in Southern Arizona

Abstract

Abstract Background In 2019, there were 284,464 individuals taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), representing 23.4% of the 1.2 million individuals who met indications for PrEP [1]. Uptake is particularly poor among women and Hispanics. Methods Written questionnaires were administered from November 2021 through April 2022 to patients attending public health clinics in Southern Arizona which provided women’s health, family planning, rapid HIV testing, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) services. Individuals who did not speak or read English were offered the questionnaire in Spanish. Data collected was compared to data collected in 2017 [2]. Results Of the 587 participants were 63% female and 68% Hispanic (Table 1). Their median age was 29 (Table 1). Most participants perceived themselves at lowest risk of acquiring HIV (66%) (Table 1). When asked “Before today, did you know that there was a pill that can prevent HIV infection?” 50% of all participants answered yes in 2022 compared to 20% in 2017 (P=0) (Figure 1). Among females, 45% had prior knowledge of PrEP in 2022 compared to 12% in 2017 (P=0). Although an improvement, this prior knowledge of PrEP remains lower in females compared to males (45% vs 57%, P=< 0.007) (Figure 1). In 2022, 98 participants completed the questionnaire in Spanish, of which 39% had prior knowledge of PrEP compared to 52% of the 489 participants who completed the questionnaire in English (P=0.02596) (Figure 1). A pill taken every 28 days was the most desired (36%) modality for PrEP, followed by a daily pill (27%) (Figure 2). Most participants expressed acceptance of visits and STI testing every 3 months, and only 26% of participants indicated they would be concerned about family or friends finding out they were on PrEP (Table 1). Table 1.Patient CharacteristicsDemographics, risk factors, and perceived risk of participants completing surveys in Spanish, English, and combined.Figure 1.Prior Knowledge of PrEPPercent answering yes when asked "Before today, did you know that there was a pill that can prevent HIV infection?" for all participants in 2017 and 2022 (blue bars), for Spanish surveys and English surveys in 2022 (orange bars), and for gender (gold bars).Figure 2.Preferred Modality of PrEPPreferred modality of PrEP amongst 2022 survey participants. Conclusion Our study shows a significant increase in knowledge of PrEP awareness in the population from 20% to 50% between 2017 and 2022. Unfortunately, there were stark contrasts in awareness between Spanish monolinguistic and English-speaking patients, and between females and males. This demonstrates at-risk groups that may benefit from increased PrEP awareness interventions. Furthermore, despite increased knowledge of PrEP, a prevailing barrier for PrEP uptake may be that patients often underestimate their risks for acquiring HIV. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.