P090Perceptions of hiv risk screening strategies among patients seeking abortion, contraception, and pregnancy loss management

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> To qualitatively assess 1) acceptability of an HIV risk screening strategy and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) provision in a family planning setting, and 2) the influence of family planning visit type (abortion, pregnancy loss management, or contraception) on HIV risk screening acceptability. <h3>Methods</h3> We conducted three virtual focus groups including patients who had experienced induced abortion, early pregnancy loss, or contraception care. We developed a comprehensive codebook of a priori and inductive concepts, and categorized themes by practice, provider, and patient considerations. <h3>Results</h3> Twenty-four females participated across the three focus groups. Practice-level considerations included overall positive feelings about being screened for PrEP eligibility during their family planning visits, though some expressed reservations about screening during early pregnancy loss visits. Provider-level themes included the concept of screening tools as entry points into conversation and education, and the importance of non-judgment in discussing sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. Participants often had to initiate STI prevention discussions and felt that contraception was over-emphasized by their providers compared with STI prevention and PrEP care. Patient-level themes included the stigma of STIs and oral PrEP, and the dynamic nature of STI risk. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Patients have genuine interest in learning about PrEP during family planning visits and feel that STI prevention education should be consistently and frequently initiated using patient-centered STI screening methods that can be consistently incorporated into family planning clinical practice.