Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Retention Research Articles

Sexual satisfaction with daily oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among gay and bisexual men at two urban PrEP clinics in the United States: an observational study.

We conducted a one-time, cross-sectional survey of MSM receiving PrEP care at two hospital-based PrEP clinics in Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts, USA (April-September 2017). We oversampled Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals. Participants completed the 20-item New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS) twice, once for before and once for after starting PrEP. Participants reported sexual behaviours, PrEP adherence, PrEP attitudes, and quality of life with PrEP. A total of 108 gay and bisexual men (GBM) participated. Overall, 15.7% were Black (non-Hispanic/Latino) and 23.1% were Hispanic/Latino, with an average age of 36.6 years. Most participants reported private health insurance coverage (71.3%), and 88.9% identified as homosexual, gay, or same gender-loving. The mean NSSS score before PrEP initiation across all 20 items was 3.94 (maximum = 5; 95% CI: 4.22, 4.43), and increased significantly after PrEP initiation (4.33, 95% CI: 4.22, 4.43; P < 0.001). Most participants (73.2%) reported that PrEP increased quality of life. This was associated with significant change in pre- to post-PrEP NSSS scores (linear regression coefficient = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.585, 1.84). Initiating PrEP and reporting improved quality of life were significantly associated with an increase in sexual satisfaction. PrEP implementation efforts should consider sexual satisfaction to promote PrEP engagement and retention, and researchers and providers should adopt a sex-positive approach with PrEP patients, especially among MSM.

Patterns of PrEP Retention Among HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Users in Baltimore City, Maryland.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) retention, defined as quarterly clinical evaluation, is critical to reducing HIV incidence. Our objectives were to determine: (1) visit- and individual-level PrEP retention patterns; (2) and individual-level characteristics associated with low-level PrEP retention 12 months after initiation among PrEP users in Baltimore City, Maryland. Information was abstracted from medical records among individuals initiating PrEP between October 1, 2015 and February 28, 2018. Visit-level PrEP retention was defined as evidence of PrEP use, documented PrEP prescription, or current PrEP use at each quarterly follow-up visit. Low-level PrEP retention was defined as <3/4 quarters with documented PrEP use. Multilevel mixed effects Poisson regression was used to determine characteristics associated with low-level PrEP retention. Among 412 individuals initiating PrEP and followed for 12 months, the majority was: cis-gender male (83.7%, n = 345), non-Hispanic Black (56.3%, n = 232) and gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men (74.0%, n = 305). By quarterly visits, PrEP retention was: 3-month: 69.4% (n = 286); 6-month: 51.9% (n = 214); 9-month: 44.5% (n = 183); and 12-month: 41.1% (n = 169). Three-fifths (58.5%, n = 241) had low-level PrEP retention. Cis-gender females (vs. cis-gender males) (adjusted relative risk: 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 1.77) were more likely to have low-level PrEP retention. Our observed PrEP retention rates are lower than what may be needed to reduce HIV incidence. Future research should examine individual- and clinic-level barriers and facilitators to PrEP retention programs by key population to inform interventions for PrEP retention.

Integrating HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis With Community-Based Syringe Services for Women Who Inject Drugs: Results From the Project SHE Demonstration Study.

To guide future preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation for women who inject drugs (WWID), a population increasingly represented in new HIV cases in the United States, we present results from a demonstration project integrated within a syringe services program (SSP) in Philadelphia, PA. WWID ≥18 years were educated about and offered 24 weeks of daily PrEP. Participants completed surveys and clinical assessments at baseline and at weeks 1, 3, 12, and 24. We used descriptive statistics to estimate feasibility/acceptability, engagement in the care cascade, HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STI) and pregnancy, issues of safety/tolerability, and preferences/satisfaction with PrEP services. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to identify factors associated with PrEP uptake and retention. We recruited 136 WWID. Of those, 95 were included in the final sample, and 63 accepted a PrEP prescription at week 1. Uptake was associated with greater baseline frequency of SSP access [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24 to 2.77], inconsistent condom use (aOR = 3.38; 95% CI: 1.07 to 10.7), and experiencing sexual assault (aOR = 5.89; 95% CI: 1.02, 33.9). Of these 95, 42 (44.2%) were retained at week 24. Retention was higher among women who reported more frequent baseline SSP access (aOR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.24). Self-reported adherence was high but discordant with urine-based quantification of tenofovir. Baseline STI prevalence was 17.9%; there were 2 HIV seroconversions and 1 pregnancy. Safety/tolerability issues were uncommon, and acceptability/satisfaction was high. Integrating PrEP with SSP services is feasible and acceptable for WWID. This suggests that daily PrEP is a viable prevention tool for this vulnerable population.

Mathematical Model Impact Analysis of a Real-Life Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment-As-Prevention Study Among Female Sex Workers in Cotonou, Benin.

Daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment-as-prevention (TasP) reduce HIV acquisition and transmission risk, respectively. A demonstration study (2015-2017) assessed TasP and PrEP feasibility among female sex workers (FSW) in Cotonou, Benin. Cotonou, Benin. We developed a compartmental HIV transmission model featuring PrEP and antiretroviral therapy (ART) among the high-risk (FSW and clients) and low-risk populations, calibrated to historical epidemiological and demonstration study data, reflecting observed lower PrEP uptake, adherence and retention compared with TasP. We estimated the population-level impact of the 2-year study and several 20-year intervention scenarios, varying coverage and adherence independently and together. We report the percentage [median, 2.5th-97.5th percentile uncertainty interval (95% UI)] of HIV infections prevented comparing the intervention and counterfactual (2017 coverages: 0% PrEP and 49% ART) scenarios. The 2-year study (2017 coverages: 9% PrEP and 83% ART) prevented an estimated 8% (95% UI 6-12) and 6% (3-10) infections among FSW over 2 and 20 years, respectively, compared with 7% (3-11) and 5% (2-9) overall. The PrEP and TasP arms prevented 0.4% (0.2-0.8) and 4.6% (2.2-8.7) infections overall over 20 years, respectively. Twenty-year PrEP and TasP scale-ups (2035 coverages: 47% PrEP and 88% ART) prevented 21% (17-26) and 17% (10-27) infections among FSW, respectively, and 5% (3-10) and 17% (10-27) overall. Compared with TasP scale-up alone, PrEP and TasP combined scale-up prevented 1.9× and 1.2× more infections among FSW and overall, respectively. The demonstration study impact was modest, and mostly from TasP. Increasing PrEP adherence and coverage improves impact substantially among FSW, but little overall. We recommend TasP in prevention packages.

Tenofovir Urine Assay to Monitor Adherence to HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis.

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) are prodrugs of tenofovir and have excellent long-term efficacy and tolerability for the treatment of HIV. An objective marker of adherence to tenofovir-based therapy could be clinically useful in supporting adherence to TDF-based HIV pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in populations in whom, self-report has been shown to be unreliable, and could play a role in resource-limited settings to support HIV and hepatitis B treatment adherence. A semi-quantitative high-performance liquid chromatographymass spectrometry method for tenofovir quantification of urine samples was developed. This assay detects tenofovir concentration in log10 levels between 1 and 10,000 ng/mL, and was shown to distinguish between recent adherence and low/non-adherence to both TDF and TAF, with a concentration of >1000 ng/mL, highly predictive of medication ingestion in the last 24-48 hours. This assay was validated relative to other markers of adherence including dried blood spot and selfreport in a highly adherent population of PrEP patients, and tenofovir was shown to be stable at room temperature in urine for at least 14 days. The assay was successfully used in a clinical setting to maintain high PrEP adherence and retention in care of 50 young men who have sex with men (MSM) over 48 weeks, to assess PrEP adherence in youth with mental health conditions, and to monitor drug levels relative to plasma levels in a case study of chewed TDF/FTC (tenofovir/emtricitabine) for PrEP. Further studies are underway to implement the tenofovir urine assay to monitor adherence and pre-exposure prophylaxis, nationally and internationally.

A stepped-wedge randomized trial and qualitative survey of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake in the Eswatini population.

Clinical trials have shown that antiretroviral drugs used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are highly effective for preventing HIV acquisition. PrEP efforts, including in sub-Saharan Africa, have almost exclusively focused on certain priority groups, particularly female sex workers, men having sex with men, pregnant women, serodiscordant couples, and young women. As part of a PrEP demonstration project involving the general population at six primary health care facilities in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), we conducted a randomized trial of a health care facility-based PrEP promotion package designed to increase PrEP uptake. Over the 18-month study duration, 33.6% (517 of 1538) of adults identified by health care workers as being at risk of acquiring HIV took up PrEP, and 30.0% of these individuals attended all scheduled appointments during the first 6 months after initiation of PrEP. The PrEP promotion package was associated with a 55% (95% confidence interval, 15 to 110%; P = 0.036) relative increase in the number of individuals taking up PrEP, with an absolute increase of 2.2 individuals per month per health care facility. When asked how PrEP uptake could be improved in 217 accompanying in-depth qualitative interviews, interviewees recommended an expansion of PrEP promotion activities beyond health care facilities to communities. Although a health care facility-based promotion package improved PrEP uptake, both uptake and retention remained low. Expanding promotion activities to the community is needed to achieve greater PrEP coverage among adults at risk of HIV infection in Eswatini and similar settings.

Uptake, retention, and outcomes in a demonstration project of pre-exposure prophylaxis among female sex workers in public health centers in Senegal.

The Senegal pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Demonstration Project was an open-label cohort study assessing the delivery of daily oral PrEP to HIV-negative female sex workers (FSWs) in four Ministry of Health (MoH)-run clinics in Dakar, Senegal. We assessed uptake, retention in care, and adherence over up to 12 months of follow-up as well as HIV infection rates. Between July and November 2015, 350 individuals were approached and 324 (92.6%) were preliminarily eligible. Uptake was high, with 82.4% of eligible participants choosing to enroll and take PrEP. The mean age of those enrolled was 37.7 years (SD = 8.7), and approximately half had not attended school (41.2%). Among the 267 participants who were prescribed PrEP, 79.9 and 73.4% were retained in PrEP care at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Older age among FSWs was found to be the only significant predictor of lower discontinuation. We did not find significant differences in retention by site, education, condom use, or HIV risk perception. There were no new HIV infections at follow-up. Our results showed evidence of high interest in PrEP and very good PrEP retention rates among FSWs at 12-month follow-up when offered in MoH-run clinics, with older age as the only significant predictor of higher PrEP retention. This highlights the role that these clinics can play in expanding PrEP access nationwide.

Structural, Dosing, and Risk Change Factors Affecting Discontinuation of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in a Large Urban Clinic.

Understanding why clients stop taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is critical to improve PrEP delivery and ultimately reduce HIV incidence. We analyzed data from a programmatic evaluation conducted at the Los Angeles LGBT Center from February to May 2018. Of 180 respondents to the emailed survey, 91 had stopped taking PrEP and 11 never started. Among former PrEP users, most common reasons for stopping were entering a monogamous relationship (43%) and side effects (40%). Ten of 11 who never started PrEP reported access barriers (e.g., cost, insurance problems). A quarter of inactive clients re-engaged with PrEP services following the survey and 15% restarted PrEP by October 2018. Improving PrEP retention may require multifaceted interventions-e.g., tailored discussions about stopping and restarting PrEP safely as HIV risk changes, ensuring consistent access to affordable PrEP, and alternative dosing strategies. An emailed survey may be a simple, effective strategy to reengage some PrEP clients.

A Mathematical Model Impact Analysis of a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment-As-Prevention Study Among Female Sex Workers in Cotonou, Benin

Background: Daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment-as-prevention (TasP) reduce HIV acquisition and transmission risk, respectively. With a 2015 HIV prevalence of 17%, female sex workers (FSW) are a key group for HIV prevention in Cotonou, Benin. A demonstration study (2015-2017) assessed the feasibility of TasP and PrEP among FSW. We aimed to assess the population-level impact of the study and various extended and scaled-up PrEP and TasP interventions. Methods: We developed a dynamic HIV transmission model, featuring PrEP, and ART among FSW, clients and the low-risk population, parameterised with the demonstration study data and historical demographic, behavioural, epidemiological and intervention data from Cotonou. The model was calibrated to HIV prevalence, ART coverage, and demonstration study data, reflecting observed lower PrEP uptake, adherence and retention compared to TasP. We modelled the two-year study and several twenty-year intervention scenarios, varying coverage and adherence. We estimated the median (2.5th-97.5th percentile uncertainty interval (95%UI)) percentage and number of incident HIV infections averted comparing the intervention and counterfactual (2017 coverages: 0% PrEP, 49% ART) scenarios. Findings: The two-year study (2017 coverages: 9% PrEP, 83% ART) prevented an estimated 8% (95%UI 6-11) and 5% (2-9) infections among FSW over two and twenty years, respectively, compared to 16% (9-28) and 7% (3-12) among clients, and 6% (3-11) and 4% (2-8) overall. Twenty-year PrEP and TasP scale-ups (2035 coverages: 47% PrEP, 88% ART) prevented 23% (18-28) and 15% (9-23) infections among FSW respectively, and 5% (3-9) and 14% (8-25) overall. Compared to TasP scale-up alone, scaling up PrEP and TasP together prevented 107% and 29% more infections among FSW and overall, respectively. PrEP impact doubled when assuming perfect adherence. Interpretation: The demonstration study had a modest impact, mostly due to TasP. Increasing PrEP adherence and coverage improves impact substantially among FSW, but little in the overall population. TasP should be offered in future prevention packages. Funding Statement: This study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (grant no. OPP1098973). Complementary funding was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (grant numbers ROH-115205 and FDN-143218). Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis was provided free of charge by Gilead Sciences, Inc. Studentship funding was provided by the United Kingdom Medical Research Council. KM and MCB acknowledge partial funding from the HPTN modelling centre, which is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH UM1 AI068617) through HPTN. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The authors received approval from the Imperial College Research Ethics Committee (ICREC reference: 18IC4641) to carry out our analysis.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis use among men who have sex with men who have experienced problematic chemsex.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) who experience problematic chemsex are at high risk of acquiring HIV due to combined drug use and sexual behaviours. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could substantially reduce the risk of HIV transmission in this group of men. The aim of this study was to examine the biopsychosocial characteristics associated with PrEP use among HIV-negative MSM who have experienced problematic chemsex. This was a cross-sectional analysis of secondary data collected during client assessments at a specialist alcohol and drug service based within the United Kingdom. We compared the socio-demographics, substance use, sexual behaviours and mental health of MSM who reported ever using PrEP to those who reported never using PrEP. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann–Whitney U-test for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Between August 2016 and July 2018, 165 HIV-negative MSM who engaged in chemsex had an assessment completed. Thirty-four per cent (n = 50/145) had ever used PrEP. The median age was 36 years (IQR: 30–42), 92% identified as gay (n = 152/165) and 79% were of white ethnicity (n = 130/164). The use of crystal methamphetamine was associated with higher levels of men ever using PrEP (40% versus 21%) (p= 0.047). Men who had ever used PrEP had a higher median number of sexual partners in the previous three months (20 versus 10) (p= 0.004) and had lower level of condom use in their sex lives (median reported 5% versus 50%) (p= 0.010) in comparison to men who had never used PrEP. It is encouraging that men having higher-risk sex had been accessing PrEP. However, further research is required to explore PrEP uptake, retention and adherence in this high-risk group.

A Pharmacist-Led, Same-Day, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Initiation Program to Increase PrEP Uptake and Decrease Time to PrEP Initiation.

Mississippi has one of the highest rates of HIV in the United States, but has low pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, particularly among black men who have sex with men (MSM) and women. From November 2018 to May 2019, patients at high risk of HIV who tested negative for HIV at a nonclinical testing center in Jackson, Mississippi, were referred to an on-site clinical pharmacist for same-day PrEP initiation. The pharmacist evaluated patients for medical contraindications to PrEP, but no baseline labs were obtained. The pharmacist provided a PrEP prescription and scheduled a clinical appointment for patients within 6 weeks, at which time they were evaluated by a clinician and completed baseline labs. The pharmacist evaluated 69 patients for PrEP; 57% were MSM, 77% were black, and 65% were uninsured. All patients received a PrEP prescription; 83% received the prescription the same day and 97% received it within 5 days. Fifty-three (77%) of 69 clients filled the prescription; 87% of whom filled it within 1 week. Only 23 (43%) of 53 clients who filled their prescription attended their initial clinical appointment within 6 weeks of obtaining PrEP. There were no differences in PrEP initiation or retention by patient sex/gender. This pilot program suggests that an on-site pharmacist working in a nonclinical testing center in the southern United States can successfully initiate PrEP among predominately low-income black MSM. Future efforts should seek to better integrate laboratory testing into this demedicalized model of PrEP and to improve retention in care.

1277. Retention Among Adolescents with Mental Health Diagnoses on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (RAMP) Study

BackgroundThe CDC reported in 2017 that 21% of new HIV diagnoses were composed of persons 13–24 years old. New York State (NYS) is addressing this with the Ending the Epidemic initiative, started in 2014, which emphasized pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for persons at risk of acquiring HIV. Though PrEP can effectively prevent HIV transmission, NYS minors were only granted capacity to accept PrEP in 2017. The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network found clinicians had varying perceptions on whether mental health diagnoses (MHD) were a barrier to adolescent PrEP utilization. This study aims to test the hypothesis that patients with MHD do not differ in PrEP retention length when compared with adolescents without MHD.MethodsThis is a retrospective single-center study analyzing self-reported visit data for adolescent enrolled on PrEP (n = 27) in the Capital District, NY. MHD were confirmed with clinician notes and retention to PrEP was defined as attending appointments. Between-group differences were compared using Fisher’s Exact Test (FET). Kaplan–Meier curves were compared using the log-rank test.ResultsOf the 27 adolescents enrolled on PrEP between Sep 2015-March 2019, most self-identified as males (93%), MSM (85%), white (74%), and 13 (48%) had a MH diagnosis. Anxiety was the most common MHD (69%), followed by depression (38%). The mean age was 20.3 years (16–24). The average PrEP retention for patients with and without MHD were 262±136 and 292±138 days, respectively (P = 0.575). For patients with MHD, follow-up at 1-month, 3-months and 1-year was 10 (77%), 8 (62%), and 5 (39%), respectively. For patients without MHD, follow-up at 1-month, 3-months, and 1-year was 11 (79%), 10 (71%), 5 (36%), respectively. Follow-up between adolescents with and without MHD was compared at 1-month (P = 0.086, FET), 3-months (P = 0.695, FET), and 1-year (P = 1.0, FET). Adolescents’ retention on PrEP was depicted on Kaplan–Meier curves (Figure 1). Log-rank test indicated that PrEP retention is not significantly associated with MHD (χ2(1) = 0.1, P = 0.727).ConclusionAdolescents with and without MHD did not significantly differ in PrEP retention outcomes. The RAMP study elucidates a potentially incorrect provider bias regarding PrEP retention and MHD. Future investigation should be done prospectively with larger sample size. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

1280. A Pharmacist-led PrEP Program at the Epicenter of the HIV Epidemic in Atlanta; Our Experience

BackgroundAtlanta, GA ranks third in the nation for highest rates of new HIV diagnoses, disproportionally affecting Black men and women. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is underutilized in this population due to multiple barriers to uptake, including limited access to PrEP delivery programs. The advantages of a primary pharmacy-led PrEP program include: relatively low service fees, perform and assess point-of-care testing, and provide adherence counseling. Similar programs across the United States have been shown to effectively increase PrEP uptake and optimize retention in care. Grady Health System (GHS), the fifth largest public hospital system in the United States, is located at the epicenter of the HIV epidemic: downtown Atlanta. It encompasses 11 different primary care clinics, accounting for 850,000 outpatient visits per year. In August 2018, we launched a developmental pilot of a GHS pharmacy-based tele-PrEP program, aiming to optimize PrEP access for vulnerable populations who would otherwise not be able to obtain it. PrEP services are provided directly to the community and through a consultative support program for all clinical sites within the GHS system. The key pilot interventions included developing a user-friendly electronic medical record (EMR)-based PrEP order sets and brief provider education interventions in 6 GHS primary care clinics, to increase PrEP awareness among non-HIV clinicians.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective process evaluation of the pilot PrEP program based on the PrEP continuum of care.ResultsOver 9 months, 95 referrals were received from providers within the GHS clinics. Of the 95 patients referred, 56 (59%) started PrEP. Two patients were started on post-exposure prophylaxis prior to initiation of PrEP. Forty-five patients (81%) remain on PrEP as of April 2019. Six clients were diagnosed with 9 STIs on screening (4 syphilis, 2 gonorrhea, 2 chlamydia, 1 lymphogranuloma venereum). There have been no HIV seroconversions in patients on PrEP.ConclusionUtilizing a pharmacy-based PrEP program to train and support clinical providers in a large, hospital system can facilitate PrEP uptake and retention for patients in primary care.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

A modeling framework to inform preexposure prophylaxis initiation and retention scale-up in the context of 'Getting to Zero' initiatives.

'Getting to Zero' (GTZ) initiatives aim to eliminate new HIV infections over a projected time frame. Increased preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among populations with the highest HIV incidence, such as young Black MSM, is necessary to accomplish this aim. Agent-based network models (ABNMs) can help guide policymakers on strategies to increase PrEP uptake. Effective PrEP implementation requires a model that incorporates the dynamics of interventions and dynamic feedbacks across multiple levels including virus, host, behavior, networks, and population. ABNMs are a powerful tool to incorporate these processes. An ABNM, designed for and parameterized using data for young Black MSM in Illinois, was used to compare the impact of PrEP initiation and retention interventions on HIV incidence after 10 years, consistent with GTZ timelines. Initiation interventions selected individuals in serodiscordant partnerships, or in critical sexual network positions, and compared with a controlled setting where PrEP initiators were randomly selected. Retention interventions increased the mean duration of PrEP use. A combination intervention modeled concurrent increases in PrEP initiation and retention. Selecting HIV-negative individuals for PrEP initiation in serodiscordant partnerships resulted in the largest HIV incidence declines, relative to other interventions. For a given PrEP uptake level, distributing effort between increasing PrEP initiation and retention in combination was approximately as effective as increasing only one exclusively. Simulation results indicate that expanded PrEP interventions alone may not accomplish GTZ goals within a decade, and integrated scale-up of PrEP, antiretroviral therapy, and other interventions might be necessary.

Potential Impact of Interventions to Enhance Retention in Care During Real-World HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to significantly reduce HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. However, the extent to which suboptimal PrEP adherence and retention in care may limit successful implementation is unknown. An agent-based model was used to represent the entire population of MSM in Rhode Island from 2013 to 2017. The impact of potential interventions to improve PrEP adherence and retention in care on HIV transmission was evaluated. Demographics, behaviors, and PrEP adherence and retention in care rates were based on local clinical data. We assumed that 20% of HIV-negative MSM had ever taken PrEP. The primary outcome was HIV incidence over the 5-year period. The model included 23,815 MSM with an estimated 4.1% HIV prevalence based on local surveillance data. An estimated 173.1 new infections occurred over 5 years [95% simulation interval (SI): 171.5-174.7], including 29.1 new infections among individuals who had ever initiated PrEP (95% SI: 28.6-29.7). Interventions that improved retention in PrEP care by an odds of 5.0 compared with the base case maximized reductions in HIV incidence among MSM who had ever initiated PrEP by 37.5%. Interventions focusing on improving PrEP adherence had little to no effect on HIV incidence, regardless of intervention efficacy. Retention in care is a critical component of the PrEP care continuum. Interventions that improve retention in PrEP care may lead to greater reductions in population-level HIV incidence compared with interventions focused exclusively on adherence.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness and interest among participants in a medications for addiction treatment program in a unified jail and prison setting in Rhode Island

People who are incarcerated are at increased risk for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) acquisition upon release, and one possible intervention for prevention is the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) upon release. The present study assessed HIV risk perceptions as well as PrEP awareness and interest among 39 people who were incarcerated and enrolled in a structured Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) program at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections using semi-structured, qualitative interviews. Analysis was conducted using a generalized, inductive method in NVivo 12. While PrEP awareness was low across the study sample, some participants were interested in PrEP uptake or learning more about PrEP after they were provided with an overview of it. PrEP interest strongly related to current perceived HIV risk. Potential barriers included side effects, adherence, and reluctance to take medications in general. MAT programs for people who are criminal justice (CJ) involved may serve as useful linkage spaces to PrEP information, access, and retention.

Predictors of Disengagement in Care for Individuals Receiving Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces incident HIV infections, but efficacy depends on adherence and retention, among other factors. Substance use disorders, unmet mental health needs, and demographic factors are associated with nonadherence in HIV-infected patients; we studied whether these affect PrEP retention in care. To investigate potential risk factors disengagement in a comprehensive HIV prevention program, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of individuals starting tenofovir-emtricitabine between January 1, 2015, and November 30, 2017. The primary outcome was adherence to the initial 3-visit schedule after PrEP initiation. The cohort was predominantly African American (23%) and Hispanic (46%). Race, ethnicity, substance use, patient health questionnaire 9 score, insurance, and housing status were not associated with retention at the third follow-up visit. Age <30, PrEP initiation in 2017, PrEP initiation in the sexual health clinic, and PrEP same-day start were associated with lower retention; male gender at birth, transition from post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to PrEP, feeling that they could benefit from, or participating in mental health services were associated with increased retention. Overall, retention in HIV preventative care at the first follow-up visit (68%) and third follow-up visit (35%) after PrEP initiation was low. Clinic services and ancillary services (such as mental health) may facilitate retention in care. In this study, select social and behavioral determinants of health were not found to be linked to retention. Focused investigation of reasons for dropout may elucidate the challenges to maintaining individuals in PrEP care and direct resource allocation to those in greatest need.

Distance to clinic is a barrier to PrEP uptake and visit attendance in a community in rural Uganda.

IntroductionGeographic and transportation barriers are associated with poorer HIV‐related health outcomes in sub‐Saharan Africa, but data on the impact of these barriers on prevention interventions are limited. We estimated the association between distance to clinic and other transportation‐related barriers on pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and initial clinic visit attendance in a rural community in southwestern Uganda enrolled in the ongoing SEARCH study (NCT01864603).MethodsCommunity‐wide HIV testing was conducted and offered to adult (≥15 years) participants in Ruhoko. Participants were eligible for PrEP based on an empiric risk score, having an HIV‐discordant partner, or self‐referral at either the community health campaign or during home‐based testing from March to April 2017. We collected data from PrEP‐eligible households on GPS‐measured distance to clinic, walking time to clinic and road difficulty. A sample of participants was also asked to identify their primary barriers to PrEP use with a semi‐quantitative questionnaire. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association between transportation barriers and (1) PrEP uptake among PrEP‐eligible individuals and (2) four‐week clinic visit attendance among PrEP initiators.ResultsOf the 701 PrEP‐eligible participants, 272 (39%) started PrEP within four weeks; of these, 45 (17%) were retained at four weeks. Participants with a distance to clinic of ≥2 km were less likely to start PrEP (aOR 0.34; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.79, p = 0.012) and less likely to be retained on PrEP once initiated (aOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.84; p = 0.024). Participants who were deemed eligible during home‐based testing and did not have the option of same‐day PrEP start were also substantially less likely to initiate PrEP (aOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.37, p < 0.001). Of participants asked to name barriers to PrEP use (N = 98), the most frequently cited were “needing to take PrEP every day” (N = 18) and “low/no risk of getting HIV” (N = 18). Transportation‐related barriers, including “clinic is too far away” (N = 6) and “travel away from home” (N = 4) were also reported.ConclusionsDistance to clinic is a significant predictor of PrEP uptake and four‐week follow‐up visit attendance in a community in rural Uganda. Interventions that address geographic and transportation barriers may improve PrEP uptake and retention in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Roll-out of first HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract Background In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), HIV prevalence is highest in key populations, specifically female sex workers and men who have sex with men, with estimates of 7% and 18%, respectively, compared with 1·2% in the general population. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an evidence-based intervention to reduce HIV incidence in populations who are at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. Building the capacity of clinics and outreach programmes serving key populations is a critical first step in scaling-up PrEP services. Here, we describe a programme from the DR Congo's National AIDS Control Programme, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and ICAP at Columbia University to initiate 350 clients from key population on PrEP in 2018. Methods With support from the National AIDS Control Programme and CDC, ICAP facilitated PrEP implementation at seven HIV care and treatment facilities in DR Congo. Capacity-building activities included: guidance on national planning; establishment of a national PrEP technical working group; and the development of PrEP training material for multidisciplinary facility teams to provide and monitor PrEP services. Training addressed: PrEP eligibility screening, initiation, and follow-up; PrEP retention and follow-up activities; and monitoring and evaluation of PrEP services. ICAP also provided ongoing on-site mentorship of clinic staff, and continuous evaluation of clinic procedures to ensure standardised PrEP service delivery across all facilities. Findings By February, 2018, 38 clinical staff and 48 peer outreach workers had completed a 6-day PrEP training course using ICAP's PrEP training curriculum; participant and facilitator manuals; job aids; and monitoring, evaluation, and reporting tools. Following the training, four sites in Kinshasa and three sites in Lubumbashi initiated PrEP services for the first time, resulting in successful achievement of the national PrEP targets. Interpretation Collaboration between national and global stakeholders resulted in the successful introduction of PrEP in DR Congo. PrEP implementation required extensive clinic training, tailoring of existing outreach activities to improve PrEP retention, inclusion of peer workers to help educate patients about PrEP, comprehensive monitoring and evaluation reporting, and ongoing mentoring of clinic staff. Lessons learned in DR Congo will be shared with other programmes in African countries that work with populations at risk of HIV. Project findings will also support the endorsement of national PrEP guidelines and the scale-up of PrEP in DR Congo. Funding US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1297. Characteristics for PrEP Uptake, Retention, and Discontinuation: Data From the ANCHOR Study

BackgroundPeople who inject drugs (PWID) have an increased risk for HIV, and HCV infection may foreshadow HIV acquisition in current epidemics. Studies of PWID have demonstrated a desire to obtain HCV treatment; however, use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in this population has not been well studied.MethodsThe ANCHOR study is an ongoing single-center study evaluating treatment of HCV in PWID. Enrolled patients have chronic HCV, opioid use disorder, and inject opioids. Patients are treated with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and offered PrEP. Patients complete baseline community health worker (CHW)-administered surveys, physician assessment of PrEP eligibility, and are offered PrEP uptake.ResultsOf 89 enrolled patients, 49 (55%) met CDC criteria for PrEP, and 21 (24%) patients started PrEP. Reasons for not starting PrEP are in Figure 1. Though most patients are black (n = 82, 92.1%) and heterosexual (n = 81, 91%), these patients were less likely to start PrEP (P = 0.0068 and P = 0.0283, respectively). Baseline interest in starting PrEP was correlated with uptake (P = 0.0023), however, self-identifying as high-risk for HIV acquisition or meeting CDC criteria for PrEP were not. Though more patients endorsed sharing of injection equipment to a CHW than a physician (17% vs. 7%), endorsement to a physician rather than CHW was associated with starting PrEP (P = 0.0307). To date, 13 (62%) patients discontinued PrEP, 7 (54%) due to side effects.ConclusionPreliminary results of the ANCHOR study support that engagement in HCV care provides an opportunity for PWID to participate in PrEP intake; however, we found relatively low uptake in these patients, despite over half meeting CDC criteria. Our findings highlight the importance of counseling by physicians for initiation of PrEP, and suggest that improved communication between CHW and physician regarding risk behaviors could improve uptake. These data also reinforce that patients must be counseled and managed for side effects in order to retain them in care. Given the increasing opioid epidemic in the United States, more consideration needs to be given regarding how to incorporate PrEP into care, and how to effectively target and improve interest in PrEP for high-risk populations with poor uptake, including minorities and PWID. Disclosures C. Gross, Merck, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson: Shareholder, stock. E. Rosenthal, Gilead Sciences, Merck: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient.