Preparing for PrEP: Understanding Perceptions High-risk Black and Hispanic Populations Have about HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis

Issues: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel biomedical HIV prevention strategy currently under study involving the use of antiretroviral drugs by HIV-negative persons to reduce risk for acquiring HIV. It is critically important to understand perceptions about PrEP among at risk Black and Latino (B/L) populations, such as injection drug users, men who have sex with men, and formerly incarcerated men, as PrEP will likely be targeted toward these populations, if proven effective. Description: PrEP has the potential to be a powerful HIV prevention strategy in addition to other proven strategies. Based on experiences in working with high-risk B/L populations, investigators funded through the CDC Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative have sought to develop a strategy to understand perceptions high-risk B/L populations have about PrEP. Lessons Learned: Prior to implementing PrEP in high-risk B/L communities, it is imperative to describe the factors that influence uptake of PrEP. Specifically, to understand if PrEP will be a feasible intervention strategy, research must be conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding PrEP, and trust of PrEP as an intervention strategy. Likewise, the trust these populations have of health systems that will deliver PrEP must be examined. This information will enable researchers and practitioners to develop strategies to disseminate information about PrEP in high-risk B/L communities. Recommendations: The effectiveness of PrEP will depend on conducting research with the communities at which this intervention strategy will be targeted. Moreover, PrEP must be coupled with culturally appropriate behavioral, social, and structural interventions.