Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective HIV prevention intervention, inequities in access remain among Latinx sexual and gender minorities (LSGM). There is also a gap in the PrEP literature regarding providers' perspective on access inequities. This qualitative case study sought to explore barriers and facilitators to PrEP engagement in a community-based integrated health center primarily serving Latinx populations in Northern California. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with providers (9/15) involved in PrEP services and engaged in a constructivist grounded theory analysis consisting of memoing, coding, and identifying salient themes. Three participants worked as medical providers, three as outreach staff, and one each in planning, education, and research. The analysis surfaced four themes: geopolitical differences, culture as barrier, clinic as context, and patient strengths and needs. Participants referenced a lack of resources to promote PrEP, as well as the difficulties of working within an institution that still struggles with cultural and organizational mores that deprioritize sexual health. Another barrier is related to sexual health being positioned outside of patients' immediate needs owing to structural barriers, including poverty, documentation status, and education. Participants, however, observed that peer-based models, which emboldened their decision-making processes, were conducive to better access to PrEP, as well as allowing them to build stronger community ties. These data underscore the need for interventions to help reduce sexual stigma, promote peer support, and ameliorate structural barriers to sexual healthcare among LSGM.
Keywords: Health empowerment; Latinx; Multi-level approach; PrEP; Qualitative methods; Sexual and gender minorities.
© 2024. W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.