An Exploratory Study of the PrEP Modality Preferences Among a Convenience Sample of Parents of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents

Abstract

PurposeParents' attitudes toward contraceptive delivery methods have been shown to impact their adolescents' use of contraceptive methods. However, little is known about the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery method attitudes of parents of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents assigned male at birth (AMAB). This exploratory, mixed-method formative study examined the PrEP delivery method preferences among a convenience sample of 33 parents of SGM adolescents AMAB who live in Texas. MethodsParticipants completed an online survey, where they selected their preferred PrEP method for their SGM adolescent AMAB to use: PrEP as a daily oral pill, a bimonthly injectable, or a yearly implant. Parents answered an open-ended question about their reasons for choosing their preferred method. We analyzed data through descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis. ResultsFindings from this convenience sample suggest that there is not one PrEP delivery method that parents of SGM adolescents AMAB prefer: one third of parents (33.3%) selected PrEP as a daily oral pill, 45.5% selected PrEP as a bimonthly injectable, and 21.2% selected PrEP as an annual implant. Parents cited multiple reasons for selecting a delivery method over another, with the most prevalent reasons being adherence (57.6%), access or cost (21.2%), and generic convenience or ease (21.2%). DiscussionFindings from this formative exploratory study sets the stage for future research and intervention development in increasing parental knowledge, preferences, and preference motivations for PrEP delivery methods.