Long-Acting Injectable ART and PrEP Among Women in Six Cities Across the United States: A Qualitative Analysis of Who Would Benefit the Most

AIDS Behav. 2022 Apr;26(4):1260-1269. doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03483-7. Epub 2021 Oct 14.

Abstract

Long-acting injectable (LAI) modalities have been developed for ART and PrEP. Women face unique barriers to LAI use yet little research has examined women's perceptions of potential LAI HIV therapy candidates. We conducted 89 in-depth interviews at six Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) sites with women living with HIV (n = 59) and HIV-negative women (n = 30) from 2017 to 2018. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Participants identified specific sub-populations who could most benefit from LAI over daily pills: (1) young people; (2) women with childcare responsibilities; (3) people with adherence-related psychological distress; (4) individuals with multiple sex partners; and (5) people facing structural insecurities such as homelessness. Women are underserved by current HIV care options and their perspectives are imperative to ensure a successful scale-up of LAI PrEP and LAI ART that prioritizes equitable access and benefit for all individuals.

Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy (ART); HIV/AIDS; Long-acting injectable (LAI); Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); Qualitative research; Women.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cities
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents