Correlates of PrEP Indication in a Multi-Site Cohort of Young HIV-Uninfected Transgender Women

Transgender women are at high risk of HIV infection, with younger transgender women (YTW) particularly vulnerable. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has shown efficacy in reducing HIV acquisition, but little is known about PrEP indication or initiation among YTW. 

Baseline data from 180 YTW age 18-29 years enrolled in Project LifeSkills, an on-going HIV prevention intervention for YTW, were analyzed to examine factors associated with PrEP indication. The sample (mean age = 23.4, SD = 3.2) was comprised largely of women of color (69 %) and of low socioeconomic status (71 % unemployed). 

Overall, 62 % met criteria for PrEP indication, but only 5 % reported ever taking PrEP. Factors associated with increased odds of PrEP indication were: PrEP interest (aOR 3.24; 95 % CI 1.44, 7.33), number of recent anal sex partners (aOR 1.23; 95 % CI 1.04, 1.46), and lower collective self-esteem scores (aOR 0.67; 95 % CI 0.47, 0.94). 

Despite high levels of PrEP indication, there remain low levels of PrEP awareness and uptake among YTW.

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By:  Kuhns LM1, Reisner SL, Mimiaga MJ, Gayles T, Shelendich M, Garofalo R.

• 1Division of Adolescent Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Box 161, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA, lkuhns@luriechildrens.org. 

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