TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge and Attitudes About Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Seven U.S. Cities
AU - Santa Maria, Diane
AU - Flash, Charlene A.
AU - Narendorf, Sarah
AU - Barman-Adhikari, Anamika
AU - Petering, Robin
AU - Hsu, Hsun Ta
AU - Shelton, Jama
AU - Bender, Kimberly
AU - Ferguson, Kristin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
PY - 2019/5
Y1 - 2019/5
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - HIV
KW - Homeless youth
KW - Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
KW - Prevention
KW - Young adults
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.06.023
DO - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.06.023
M3 - Article
C2 - 30254009
AN - SCOPUS:85053855788
SN - 1054-139X
VL - 64
SP - 574
EP - 580
JO - Journal of Adolescent Health
JF - Journal of Adolescent Health
IS - 5
ER -