The PrEP-Index represents a psychometrically valid, reliable scale with utility for identifying individuals at risk for discontinuing PrEP care by 6 months, the point at which most PrEP discontinuations occur, according to findings published in JAIDS. Kathrine Meyers, DrPH, MSc, and colleagues adapted the Index of Engagement in HIV Care, a validated, 10-item self-report measure for assessing odds of disengagement in HIV care, for PrEP. The team then evaluated psychometric properties of responses that included a cross-sectional validation among racially and ethnically diverse (39.2% non-Hispanic White) cisgender MSM who were eligible for PrEP. Possible PrEP-Index scores ranged from 10-50; higher scores indicated greater engagement. The analysis included 118 participants. The PrEP Index score was positively associated with visit constancy at 6 months (rs=0.2261; 95% CI, 0.0363-0.4051). The analysis determined that a patient who scored 45 on the PrEP-Index would be classified as not returning within 6 months (sensitivity=0.73; specificity=0.65). “The PrEP-Index could be a useful clinical prognostic tool to allow for efficient resource targeting by clinics to improve engagement in PrEP care,” Dr. Meyers and colleagues wrote.
