Diane Santa Maria1, Charlene A Flash2, Sarah Narendorf3, Anamika Barman-Adhikari4, Robin Petering5, Hsun-Ta Hsu6, Jama Shelton7, Kimberly Bender8, Kristin Ferguson9. 1. Department of Nursing Systems, Cizik School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: diane.m.santamaria@uth.tmc.edu. 2. Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Baylor College of Medicine and Legacy Community Health, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: charlene.flash@bcm.edu. 3. Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: sanarendorf@uh.edu. 4. Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. Electronic address: anamika.barmanadhikari@du.edu. 5. Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: petering@usc.edu. 6. School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. Electronic address: tah@missouri.edu. 7. Silberman School of Social Work, at Hunter College, New York, New York. Electronic address: jshelton@hunter.cuny.edu. 8. Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. Electronic address: kimberly.bender@du.edu. 9. School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona. Electronic address: kristin.ferguson@asu.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Evidence suggests that young adults experiencing homelessness (YEH) are at elevated risk of HIV compared to housed youth. Given the limited research on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness among YEH, this study examined their PrEP knowledge and attitudes. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional survey among YEH (ages 18-26) (n = 1,427) in seven U.S. cities were used to assess their knowledge and attitudes regarding PrEP to inform HIV prevention efforts. RESULTS: Participants were primarily male youth of color. The mean age was 20.9years. While 66% felt at risk for HIV, only 14% strongly agreed that they try to protect themselves from getting infected with HIV. Most (84%) were eligible for PrEP based on risk, yet only 29% had knowledge of PrEP. Despite this, 59% reported they were likely/extremely likely to take PrEP. Access to free PrEP (55%), HIV testing (72%), healthcare (68%), and one-on-one (62%), and text messaging support (57%) were rated as very/extremely important for PrEP uptake and adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest missed opportunities to prevent new HIV infections among YEH. Efforts to increase PrEP uptake among this population should consider provider- and system-level interventions to increase PrEP awareness, decrease PrEP-associated healthcare costs, improve access to PrEP providers, and provide in-person and text messaging support.
PURPOSE: Evidence suggests that young adults experiencing homelessness (YEH) are at elevated risk of HIV compared to housed youth. Given the limited research on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness among YEH, this study examined their PrEP knowledge and attitudes. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional survey among YEH (ages 18-26) (n = 1,427) in seven U.S. cities were used to assess their knowledge and attitudes regarding PrEP to inform HIV prevention efforts. RESULTS:Participants were primarily male youth of color. The mean age was 20.9years. While 66% felt at risk for HIV, only 14% strongly agreed that they try to protect themselves from getting infected with HIV. Most (84%) were eligible for PrEP based on risk, yet only 29% had knowledge of PrEP. Despite this, 59% reported they were likely/extremely likely to take PrEP. Access to free PrEP (55%), HIV testing (72%), healthcare (68%), and one-on-one (62%), and text messaging support (57%) were rated as very/extremely important for PrEP uptake and adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest missed opportunities to prevent new HIV infections among YEH. Efforts to increase PrEP uptake among this population should consider provider- and system-level interventions to increase PrEP awareness, decrease PrEP-associated healthcare costs, improve access to PrEP providers, and provide in-person and text messaging support.
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