Implications for PrEP Uptake in Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness: A Mixed Methods Study.
Publication Date
2-2019
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
Graduate School of Social Work
Keywords
HIV prevention, PrEP perceptions, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH)
Abstract
Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) have a high risk of contracting HIV; however, they remain relatively unreached by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-based HIV prevention initiatives. We used a cross-sectional mixed-methods study to explore PrEP knowledge, interest, facilitators, and barriers among YEH. Young adults were recruited from agencies serving YEH in Houston, TX (n = 30) and Los Angeles, CA (n = 15) to participate in an electronic self-report survey and a semistructured interview. Survey results indicate that 68.2% of YEH had low or no prior knowledge of PrEP, though 63.7% reported interest in taking PrEP. Qualitative results revealed facilitators of PrEP use, including high PrEP acceptability and awareness, and supportive social networks. Several barriers emerged, including medication-related barriers, adherence, cost, access barriers, low perceived HIV risk, perceived stigma of PrEP use, and low PrEP awareness. Despite high PrEP acceptability, PrEP use among YEH remains low partly due to low PrEP awareness, low perceived HIV risk, and medical mistrust.
Publication Statement
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Recommended Citation
Santa Maria, D., Gallardo, K. R., Narendorf, S., Petering, R., Barman-Adhikari, A., . . . & Bender, K. (2019). Implications for PrEP uptake in young adults experiencing homelessness: A mixed methods study. AIDS Education and Prevention, 31(1), 63-81. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2019.31.1.63