Using an Intersectional Framework to Understand the Challenges of Adopting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Young Adult Black Women

Introduction: There is limited functional knowledge and utilization of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young adult Black cisgender women (YBW). Methods: We conducted four focus groups with YBW using an intersectional framework to explore multiple levels of factors that impede YBW awareness, interest, and utilization of PrEP in conjunction with their sexual and reproductive healthcare needs. Results: Influences at the cultural-environmental level included a lack of information and resources to access to PrEP and medical mistrust in the healthcare system. At the social normative level, influences included attitudes towards the long-term effects on sexual and reproductive health and self-efficacy to follow the PrEP regimen. At the proximal intrapersonal level, influences included anticipated HIV stigma from family and peers along with the fear of rejection from their main partners. Conclusions: Translation of these results indicated that interventions to increase PrEP utilization and adherence among YBW will require multi-level strategies to address barriers to integrating HIV prevention into sexual and reproductive healthcare.