Long-Acting Injectable Preferred for HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis

FRIDAY, Feb. 10, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Long-acting injectable preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the preferred HIV prevention choice for potential male users, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in AIDS and Behavior.

Lorraine T. Dean, Sc.D., from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, and colleagues conducted a discrete choice experiment on preferences for PrEP among 688 gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Mode of administration, side effects, monetary cost, and time cost were assessed.

The researchers found that long-acting injectable PrEP was preferred, despite mode of administration being the least important PrEP attribute. The most important attribute influencing preferences for PrEP was side effects (44 percent of decision), while costs were the second most important factor (35 percent of decision). The most important preference was for PrEP with no side effects followed by monthly out-of-pocket costs of $0.

"The overall most preferred combination of attributes was PrEP that cost $0 out-of-pocket per month, 30 min travel time, had no side effects, and was administered by injection every few months," the authors write. "Practitioners and policymakers looking to increase PrEP uptake should keep costs low, communicate clearly about PrEP side effects, and allow the use of patient-preferred modes of PrEP administration, including long-acting injectable PrEP."

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