Potential gains in PrEP coverage and effect on racial disparities following introduction of on-demand and long-acting injectable PrEP: Preferences of men who have sex with men in the United States, 2021-2022.

Abstract

Introduction: There are persistent race- and ethnicity-based disparities in HIV incidence among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United States, partially driven by inequities in distribution of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We assessed how additional modalities of PrEP beyond daily oral might affect uptake of PrEP and ongoing disparities in HIV incidence in the US.

Methods: In an online survey of GBMSM in the US, we presented participants with descriptions of each PrEP modality. Among GBMSM not willing to use daily oral PrEP, we assessed willingness to use on-demand or long-acting injectable (LA) PrEP. Among GBMSM using daily oral PrEP, we assessed willingness to switch to on-demand or LA PrEP.

Results: Among GBMSM who were not willing to use daily oral PrEP, most were also not willing to use either on-demand or LA PrEP. In adjusted analyses, Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic/Latino Black, and non-Hispanic/Latino GBMSM of other races were more willing to use LA PrEP than non-Hispanic/Latino White GBMSM; none of the adjusted prevalence ratios was statistically significant. Most GBMSM currently taking daily oral PrEP reported a preference for staying on that regimen. Among those interested in switching, most were interested in on-demand PrEP.

Conclusions: Most GBMSM not willing to use daily oral PrEP are also not willing to use other modalities of PrEP; most GBMSM who are currently using daily oral PrEP prefer to continue using that dosing strategy. Our results suggest that differential preferences in modalities of PrEP will not exacerbate existing disparities in PrEP distribution or HIV incidence.