Patient recommendations for PrEP information dissemination at family planning clinics in Atlanta, Georgia

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) 2019-04, Vol.99 (4), p.233-238
• Main Authors: Sales, Jessica M., Phillips, Ashley L., Tamler, Ilyssa, Munoz, Tatiana, Cwiak, Carrie, Sheth, Anandi N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambulatory Care Facilities; Family planning clinics; Female; Georgia; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV prevention; Humans; Information Dissemination; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; PrEP; Southern US
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2018.12.008

Family planning (FP) clinics are an ideal setting to disseminate information about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but little is known about women's preferences for learning about PrEP in this setting. We surveyed 500 women seeking care at 4 FP clinics in Atlanta. Before their provider visit, participants completed an HIV-risk screener. After, we asked participants about the HIV prevention counseling they received and how clinics could share information about PrEP. We performed descriptive analyses on demographics, HIV risk, and PrEP awareness/interest, and conducted thematic analysis on open-ended responses. Only 18% knew about PrEP before the study; 28% of 376 sexually-active women had≥1 risk indicator consistent with PrEP eligibility. Three hundred forty seven women (69%) shared suggestions about how clinics should share PrEP information. We categorized suggestions into 4 themes - Advertising, Conversations, Awareness and Access. Participants (n=150) suggested clinics should advertise PrEP via brochures, posters, texts, or emails; 134 wanted providers to talk to patients about PrEP. Several (n=71) suggested sharing PrEP information broadly in the community and with other clinics/providers; others (n=11) wanted improved access to PrEP services. Our results demonstrate overwhelming patient interest in learning more about PrEP through educational materials and directly from FP providers. Women were vocal about increasing PrEP awareness in the community, particularly among populations especially at risk for HIV (e.g., teens). These suggestions can be translated into actionable steps FP clinics can take to increase PrEP awareness and expand their reach to benefit women at risk for HIV. High HIV rates among women in the South make it imperative to increase awareness of PrEP among women. Atlanta women seeking care in FP clinics valued learning about PrEP and recommended feasible strategies for disseminating information about PrEP in community settings, the clinic or during patient-provider discussion.