Engagement in the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Cascade in a Statewide Sample of Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals.

Abstract

Although literature regarding HIV prevention among transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people has grown considerably, important gaps remain, particularly in relation to the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care cascade. Additional research is needed to understand when and why TNB people exit the PrEP care cascade to inform interventions to better support these populations. Moreover, most studies have focused on transgender women, though transgender men and nonbinary people also experience a disproportionate prevalence of HIV relative to cisgender populations. This study addresses these gaps by exploring engagement in the PrEP care cascade among a statewide convenience sample of 659 transgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary people, and analyzing how gender identity impacts participant likelihood to continue along the cascade. Data come from the 2018 Michigan Trans Health Study and include self-report data on demographics, sexual behavior, and PrEP awareness, information receipt, referral, initiation, and retention. Participants who self-reported vaginal/front hole or anal sex and did not use barriers (n = 318) were considered eligible for PrEP. Only 21.13% of those eligible for PrEP received information about PrEP, 8.18% were referred to PrEP, and 1.57% initiated PrEP use. A significantly greater proportion of transfeminine and participants who identified with multiple/other genders reported receiving PrEP information than those who identified as transmasculine or nonbinary [χ² (3, n = 311) =11.34, p = .01]. No other significant gender differences were observed. Providers serving TNB individuals must recognize the diversity of individuals who qualify for information on PrEP, provide trans-affirming care when offering PrEP prescriptions, and consider situating PrEP opportunities in TNB serving spaces to reduce access barriers.