Abstract
Background:
Remote health services, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) and telehealth-based PrEP (telePrEP), can reduce barriers to prevention care. The goal of this study was to evaluate preferences for telePrEP services among a cohort of individuals who obtained HIVST. We hypothesized that preferences for telePrEP would be associated with lower self-efficacy and higher PrEP stigma.
Methods:
Individuals ≥17 years of age who obtained a HIVST through the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and reported a negative test result were eligible for the study. Participants completed an online survey that included items assessing PrEP knowledge, stigma, norms, and self-efficacy. We evaluated preferences for telePrEP using multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
A total of 277 participants enrolled in the study between October 2022 and March 2024. The median age was 27 years, 53% were cis-gender women, 38% reported Black race, and 28% were men who have sex with men. Just over half (55%) preferred obtaining telePrEP compared with in-person PrEP. Preferences for telePrEP were higher among cis-gender women, those with lower levels of PrEP self-efficacy, college education, and higher PrEP social norms. Contrary to our hypothesis, preference for telePrEP was associated with lower PrEP stigma.
Conclusions:
Offering linkage to telePrEP after self-testing can reduce logistic barriers and support individuals with low self-efficacy. However, telePrEP may not adequately address concerns about PrEP stigma, and efforts to reduce stigma around PrEP need to be integrated into PrEP linkage interventions. These insights can inform differentiated PrEP delivery models to ensure timely linkage to preventive care after self-testing.