The Magnetic Couples Study: protocol for a mixed methods prospective cohort study of HIV-serodifferent heterosexual couples' perspectives and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

James M McMahon; Janie Simmons; Jessica E Haberer; Sharon Mannheimer; Natalie M Leblanc; Leilani Torres; Robert Quiles; Guillermo Aedo; Anabel Javier; Amy Braksmajer; Graham Harriman; Nicole Trabold; Enrique R Pouget; Ann Kurth; Martez D R Smith; Judith Brasch; Eric J Podsiadly; Peter L Anderson

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048993

The Magnetic Couples Study: protocol for a mixed methods prospective cohort study of HIV-serodifferent heterosexual couples' perspectives and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

BMJ Open. 2021 Jul 1;11(7):e048993. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048993.

Authors

James M McMahon¹, Janie Simmons², Jessica E Haberer^{3

4}, Sharon Mannheimer^{5

6}, Natalie M Leblanc⁷, Leilani Torres⁷, Robert Quiles⁷, Guillermo Aedo², Anabel Javier², Amy Braksmajer⁸, Graham Harriman⁹, Nicole Trabold¹⁰, Enrique R Pouget¹¹, Ann Kurth¹², Martez D R Smith⁷, Judith Brasch⁷, Eric J Podsiadly⁷, Peter L Anderson¹³

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA james_mcmahon@urmc.rochester.edu.
² School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
³ Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁵ Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals Harlem, New York, New York, USA.
⁶ Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
⁷ School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
⁸ Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Geneseo, Geneseo, New York, USA.
⁹ HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York, USA.
¹⁰ College of Health Science and Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA.
¹¹ Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
¹² School of Nursing, Yale University, Orange, Connecticut, USA.
¹³ School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: HIV transmission within serodifferent heterosexual couples plays a key role in sustaining the global HIV pandemic. In the USA, transmission within established mixed-status couples accounts for up to half of all new HIV infections among heterosexuals. Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective prevention method, although underutilised among serodifferent couples. Moreover, there is a dearth of research on US HIV-serodifferent couples' perspectives and use of PrEP, alone or in combination with other prevention methods. In this paper, we describe the study protocol for the Magnetic Couples Study, designed to fill critical knowledge gaps regarding HIV-serodifferent heterosexual couples' perspectives, experiences and utilisation of PrEP.

Methods and analysis: The Magnetic Couples Study is a mixed methods prospective cohort study designed to describe temporal patterns and identify determinants at multiple levels (individual, couple, HCF) of PrEP outcomes along the care continuum (PrEP awareness, linkage, uptake, retention and medication adherence) among HIV-serodifferent heterosexual couples residing in New York City. The study will also examine clinical management of PrEP, side effects and changes in sexual-related and substance use-related behaviour. A prospective cohort of 230 mixed-status couples already on oral PrEP was recruited, with quarterly assessments over 18 months; in addition, a cross-sectional sample of 150 mixed-status couples not currently on PrEP was recruited. In-depth semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with a subsample of 25 couples. Actor-partner interdependence modelling using multilevel analysis will be employed for the analysis of longitudinal dyadic data. Framework analysis will be used to analyse qualitative data. A parallel convergent design will be used for mixed methods integration.

Ethics and dissemination: The study was approved by the University of Rochester Institutional Review Board (RSRB00052766). Study findings will be disseminated to community members and providers and to researchers and policy makers.

Keywords: HIV & AIDS; epidemiology; preventive medicine.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
Cross-Sectional Studies
Family Characteristics
HIV Infections* / drug therapy
HIV Infections* / prevention & control
Heterosexuality
Humans
Magnetic Phenomena
New York City
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
Prospective Studies
Sexual Partners

Substances

Anti-HIV Agents

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding