Original Models of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Used in Title X Family Planning Clinics in the Southern US

Purpose: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is underutilized by adolescent and young adult women, especially in the Southern U.S. Family planning (FP) clinics are potentially ideal PrEP delivery sites for adolescent and young adult women, but little is known about their PrEP services. We describe models of PrEP care in Title X FP clinics in the South and explore clinic resources that are needed to facilitate PrEP provision. Methods: Providers and administrators from 38 clinics participated in qualitative interviews. We assessed five steps of PrEP care: (1) HIV risk assessment; (2) PrEP education; (3) laboratory testing; (4) PrEP prescription; and (5) PrEP monitoring. Results: Among 38 clinics, 23 conducted at least one step and were classified into three models. Model 1 (n = 8) and Model 2 (n = 4) clinics provided up to Steps 1 and 2, respectively, but referred to an external PrEP provider. Model 3 clinics (n = 11) conducted all steps. Few barriers were identified for Step 1; using an HIV risk assessment tool was a key facilitator. PrEP educational materials facilitated Step 2; clinics not providing education believed they could easily do so with training and educational resources. Fundingand staff-related resource barriers were noted for Steps 3-5, including costs of laboratory tests and lack of time for longitudinal visits. Conclusions: PrEP-providing publicly funded FP clinics in the Southern U.S. use referral services for many steps of PrEP care, which introduce patient burden. Increasing onsite PrEP services will require addressing concerns related to training, educational materials, cost, and staffing. (C) 2020 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that publicly funded family planning clinics in the Southern U.S. use different models of providing PrEP services, with some clinics offering all steps of PrEP care and others referring to external providers. Main barriers include funding and staff-related resource limitations, highlighting the need to increase onsite PrEP services in clinics.