Abstract
Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors surrounding PrEP among Black and Latina Cisgender Women: Findings from the 2017 New York City Sexual Health Survey
Marné Garretson, MPH1, Kathleen Scanlin, MPH2, Julie Myers, MD, MPH3, Oni Blackstock, MD, MHS4 and Zoe Edelstein, PhD, MS3
(1)NYC Dept Health & Mental Hygene, Long Island City, NY, (2)New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, NY, (3)New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, NY, (4)Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Queens, NY
APHA's 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo (Nov. 2 - Nov. 6)
Cisgender women represent approximately 1 in 5 HIV diagnoses in New York City (NYC) of whom 61% are non-Latina Black and 27% are Latina. Because little is known about knowledge and attitudes surrounding PrEP in this population, we examined a population in NYC. In 2017, interviewer-administered (English/Spanish) street-intercept surveys were conducted in neighborhoods with high HIV-diagnosis rates among Black and/or Latina cisgender women who were NYC residents aged 18-64 years reporting recent sex with a man. We assessed PrEP awareness and recent use (past 6 months) and, among those aware, perceived benefit, comfort discussing with a provider, and agreement with attitudinal statements. Differences were tested by chi-square (p<0.05). Among respondents, 59.7% were non-Latina Black; mean age was 37 years; 51.0% had attended high school or less 51.6% earned <$20,000/year. PrEP awareness was 34.1% (126/370); recent use was 1.4% (5/361). Awareness was significantly higher among non-Latina Blacks (39.8%; 88/221) than Latinas (25.5%; 38/149) (p=0.004). Among those aware, 59.6% (56/94) did not feel they would benefit from PrEP, but 93.3% (98/105) would be comfortable discussing it with their provider. Most agreed that women should know more about PrEP (95.7%; 90/94) and users are taking control of their sexual health (91.7%; 88/96), although 64.0% (57/89) worried about potential adverse effects. Compared with Latina women, non-Latina Black women had higher PrEP awareness. Despite not perceiving personal benefit, women aware of PrEP expressed largely positive attitudes towards it, except for concern for potential adverse effects.
Epidemiology Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences