Attitudes towards, knowledge about, and confidence to prescribe antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis among healthcare providers in Thailand

Abstract

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) is an effective method for preventing HIV transmission, and it is recommended in several international guidelines. Perceptions and knowledge about HIV-PrEP prescription among healthcare providers have not been investigated in Thailand where HIV-PrEP is a novel healthcare topic. The objective of study was to determine healthcare providers' attitudes towards, knowledge about, and confidence to prescribe HIV-PrEP in Thailand.A questionnaire was administered to Thai healthcare providers during May 1, 2017 to September 5, 2018.Of the 500 questionnaires that were distributed, 460 were returned (92%). Respondents included 336 physicians (48 infectious disease [ID] physicians, 288 non-ID physicians) and 124 non-physicians (70 nurses, 35 pharmacists, and 19 others). Eighty one percent of respondents had a positive attitude towards HIV-PrEP. Multivariate analysis revealed being a non-ID physician, having prior knowledge about HIV-PrEP, believing that HIV-PrEP can reduce the number of new patients, and believing that HIV-PrEP is not associated with a higher incidence of other sexually transmitted infections were all factors significantly associated with having a positive attitude towards HIV-PrEP. The issue of most concern to respondents who had a negative attitude toward HIV-PrEP was poor patient adherence to antiviral medications. Only 57% of respondents had confidence to prescribe HIV-PrEP. Factors associated with confidence to prescribe HIV-PrEP included being an ID physician, believing that HIV-PrEP can reduce the number of new patients, believing in the safety of antiviral medications, and believing that HIV-PrEP is not associated with increased development of HIV drug resistance. The results of HIV-PrEP knowledge testing (8 questions) were categorized into good score (≥7/8) and fair score (≤6/8). Fifty five percent of participants had a good score result. Using multivariate analysis, the factors associated with a good score result were ID physician, having HIV-PrEP prescription experience, and believing that HIV-PrEP can reduce the number of new patients.Most Thai healthcare providers (81%) reported having a positive attitude towards HIV-PrEP. Successful HIV-PrEP implementation in Thailand will require steps to mitigate the described barriers, and training for healthcare providers, which will strengthen knowledge and improve both experience with and confidence to prescribe HIV-PrEP.