Abstract
BackgroundPeople who inject drugs (PWID) are at an increased risk for HIV infection due to injection and sexual risk behaviors. This study aims to examine PrEP knowledge, awareness, and willingness to be linked to PrEP services at a syringe services program (SSP), and examine the relationship between substance use and interest in PrEP linkage.MethodsData were collected using a cross-sectional survey of IDEA SSP clients in Miami, FL (N = 157). Based on reported substance injected, participants were classified into opioid-only injection or polysubstance injection. Socio-demographics and HIV risk were examined using Pearson’s Chi-Squared analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to test for significant correlates of interest in PrEP linkage.ResultsOnly 28.3% of PWID surveyed had previously heard of PrEP. However, 57.2% were interested in receiving more information about PrEP. In the adjusted model, people with opioid-only use were significantly less likely to report interest in being linked to PrEP.ConclusionKnowledge, awareness, and interest in being linked to PrEP were low among PWID surveyed. No participants of the study were successfully linked to PrEP services through direct referrals. Further research is needed to examine low threshold service delivery of PrEP to PWID at SSPs.
Highlights
There is clear evidence that sharing needles and syringes is a direct route for transmission of HIV—1 in 10 new HIV infections in the United States is among people who inject drugs (PWID) [1]
This study aims to examine pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) knowledge, awareness, and willingness to be linked to PrEP services at a syringe services program (SSP), and examine the relationship between substance use and interest in PrEP linkage
28.3% of PWID surveyed had previously heard of PrEP
Summary
There is clear evidence that sharing needles and syringes is a direct route for transmission of HIV—1 in 10 new HIV infections in the United States is among people who inject drugs (PWID) [1]. Research on syringe services programs (SSPs) has shown effectiveness in reducing HIV infections [5] and risky injection behavior [6], social and structural factors act as barriers to prevention and treatment of HIV in PWID. Drug control policies such as the 1970 Controlled Substances Act have contributed to an increase in mass incarceration and the establishment of social stigma among people who use drugs [7]. This study aims to examine PrEP knowledge, awareness, and willingness to be linked to PrEP services at a syringe services program (SSP), and examine the relationship between substance use and interest in PrEP linkage
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