High Propensity to Switch to Long-acting Injectable HIV PrEP with Cabotegravir in a Cohort of Oral PrEP Experienced Men who Have Sex with Men in Italy

AIDS Behav. 2024 Mar;28(3):907-911. doi: 10.1007/s10461-023-04197-8. Epub 2023 Oct 4.

Abstract

Aim was to investigate the propensity to switch to long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with cabotegravir among oral PrEP-experienced men who have sex with men. Out of 377 PrEP users, 325 (86.2%) were interested (would like = 210) or considering (would consider = 115) switch to long-acting PrEP. At multivariable analysis, the odds ratio of interest in long-acting PrEP in non-adherent vs. adherent individuals to oral PrEP was 5.03 (95%CI = 1.73-14.61,p = 0.003) and of consideration 1.63 (95%CI = 0.51-5.23,p = 0.410). We observed very high propensity to switch to long-acting PrEP, particularly among non-adherent users. Rapid availability of long-acting PrEP might address unmet needs of PrEP users in Italy.

Keywords: Cabotegravir; Long acting; PrEP; Pre-exposure prophylaxis.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Diketopiperazines*
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Pyridones*
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*

Substances

  • cabotegravir
  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Pyridones
  • Diketopiperazines