Open pilot trial of a brief motivational interviewing-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis intervention for men who have sex with men: preliminary effects, and evidence of feasibility and acceptability. Issue 3 (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moitra, Ethan; van den Berg, Jacob J.; Sowemimo-Coker, Genoviva; Chau, Sathiarith; Nunn, Amy; Chan, Philip A.
• Is Part Of: AIDS care. Volume 32:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 406
• Page End: 410
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: PrEP -- intervention -- MSM -- HIV -- motivational interviewing; AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; 362.1969792
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1622644
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0121

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high-risk of HIV infection in the United States. Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing HIV acquisition among MSM. However, PrEP uptake in real-world clinical settings has been slow and uneven. Guided by Self-Regulation Theory, we developed and evaluated a brief (15–25 min) motivational interviewing (MI)-based intervention to promote PrEP uptake in an uncontrolled pilot trial. Nineteen MSM were recruited during the course of routine HIV screening at a sexually transmitted diseases clinic. We administered the 2-session intervention in-person and by telephone. Thirteen (72%) participants completed baseline and 1-month follow-up assessments; all found the intervention and its components highly acceptable. Over the 1-month period, seven participants (37%) obtained a PrEP prescription, more than tripling the rate previously observed with PrEP counseling and referrals alone (11%). The most common barrier to uptake was out-of-pocket costs. This approach was feasible and underscored the need for financial assistance and other PrEP navigation services to supplement behavioral interventions to enhance PrEP uptake.