Long-Acting Injectable Preferred for HIV PrEP

Long-acting injectable PrEP is the preferred HIV prevention choice for potential male users, according to a study published in AIDS and Behavior. Lorraine T. Dean, ScD, and colleagues examined preferences for PrEP among 688 gay, bisexual, and other MSM. Mode of administration, side effects, monetary cost, and time cost were assessed. Long-acting injectable PrEP was preferred, despite mode of administration being the least important attribute. The most important attribute was side effects (44% of decision), while costs were the second most important factor (35% of decision). The most important preference was for PrEP with no side effects followed by monthly out-of-pocket costs of $0. “The overall most preferred combination of attributes was PrEP that cost $0 out-of-pocket per month, 30 [minutes] travel time, had no side effects, and was administered by injection every few months,” Dr. Dean and colleagues wrote. “Practitioners and policymakers looking to increase PrEP uptake should keep costs low, communicate clearly about PrEP side effects, and allow the use of patient-preferred modes of PrEP administration,
including long-acting injectable PrEP.”