Knowledge of and opinions on HIV preexposure prophylaxis among front-line service providers at Canadian AIDS service organizations

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2013 Sep;29(9):1183-9. doi: 10.1089/aid.2013.0090. Epub 2013 Jun 22.

Abstract

Oral daily tenofovir/emtricitabine (Truvada) is approved in the United States for HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) but has generated controversy in the media and within HIV-affected communities. We conducted an online survey about PrEP-related knowledge, experience, opinions, and learning needs, and received 160 responses from service providers at Canadian AIDS Service Organizations. Respondents were cautiously optimistic about PrEP and 48.8% believed that PrEP warranted Health Canada approval. In multivariable logistic regression, support for PrEP approval was associated with more years working in HIV (odds ratio=1.89 per decade, 95% CI=1.10, 3.25), low baseline familiarity with PrEP (OR=3.24, 95% CI=1.01, 14.41), and knowing someone who had used PrEP (OR=4.39, 95% CI=1.28,15.08). Participants major concerns about PrEP were similar to those highlighted in other publications, and some issues specific to certain target populations were raised. Several participants (26.2%) had been asked about PrEP in the past year and 10.6% knew of one or more Canadian who had used PrEP. Despite clients' interest, most participants thought that they (60.6%) or their organization (63.1%) did not have enough current knowledge about PrEP, highlighting the need for further education on this novel HIV prevention strategy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / administration & dosage
  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Canada
  • Chemoprevention*
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Emtricitabine
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organophosphonates / administration & dosage*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tenofovir

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Organophosphonates
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Tenofovir
  • Emtricitabine
  • Adenine