Recommendations from Black and Latinx sexual minority males to include pharmacists to increase greater accessibility and OnlyFans stars to promote uptake of injectable PrEP

Abstract

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication is the keystone of preventative measures to curtail the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, oral PrEP, the tablet intended to prevent HIV, has been slow to proliferate among men who have sex with men (MSM). This is of major concern given that MSM account for the largest number of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. More recently, the newest generation of PrEP in the form of a long-acting injectable (LAI) is to be administered every 2 months as an intramuscular injection and many MSM indicate preferring LAI-PrEP to the oral form of PrEP. However, uptake of PrEP, in all forms, remains low. Research is sparse that focuses on LAI-PrEP uptake among Black and Latinx MSM (BLMSM).

Objective: This study aimed to address this concern; this study explored the willingness to uptake LAI-PrEP and recommendations for increasing awareness and encouraging uptake of LAI-PrEP among BLMSM.

Methods: Qualitative data were collected between February 2022 and December 2022 through focus groups via Zoom with BLMSM (N = 30, Black = 14, Latinx = 16) aged 18 to 29 years (mean = 23, SD = 3) in Los Angeles County.

Results: Findings revealed that although 90% of BLMSM were aware of PrEP in oral form, only 10% were aware of LAI-PrEP. Findings from the qualitative analysis suggested to consider self-administration of LAI-PrEP, allow local community pharmacists to assess and administer it, and promote uptake of LAI-PrEP using high-profile male content creators and stars on OnlyFans social media platform.

Conclusion: Increasing PrEP uptake, in all forms available, such as promoting awareness through popular social media stars, and engaging community pharmacists in feasible ways, is critical for addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV among the BLMSM community.