Survey assessment of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis availability in student health services in New England colleges and universities.

Objective: To determine HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) availability at student health services (SHS) in New England. Methods: We conducted an electronic survey of medical directors of SHS at New England colleges and universities. We measured the availability and volume of PrEP prescribing, barriers and facilitators to prescribing and provider knowledge. Results: Of 143 institutions surveyed, 39% completed questionnaires; 75% were private and 93% were 4 years. Thirty-six percent of institutions did not offer PrEP. Those offering PrEP started a mean of 2.0 per 1000 students/year. PrEP was available at more schools with higher vs. lower endowments (100 vs. 38%, p = 0.002), 4- vs. 2-year programs (68 vs. 0%, p = 0.042), and private vs. public schools (73 vs. 38%, p = 0.043). Conclusions: PrEP was not available at one in three New England SHS and prescribing rates at institutions that offered PrEP were low. Interventions are needed to improve PrEP access.