Exploration of weekly variation in naloxone possession and carriage among people who use opioids in New York City before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Naloxone is critical for reversing opioid-related overdoses. However, there is a dearth of research examining how naloxone possession and carriage are impacted by time-varying individual and social determinants, and if this differed during the height of the COVID-related mitigation measures (e.g., shutdowns). METHODS: We utilized weekly ecological momentary assessments (EMA) to measure factors associated with naloxone possession and carriage among 40 people who use illicit opioids in New York City, for 24 months. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the frequency of weeks with consistent naloxone possession and carriage. Mixed effects binary and multivariable logistic regression was used to test for the impact of time-varying EMA- and baseline-level factors on each outcome. RESULTS: Approximately 70% of weekly EMAs were associated with consistent naloxone possession or carriage. In multivariable models, compared to during the height of the COVID-related shutdowns (March 12, 2020-May 19, 2021), the time before was associated with lower odds of consistent possession (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.05, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.01-0.15) and consistent carriage (OR = 0.06, CI = 0.01-0.25). Additionally, being female (OR = 11.15, CI = 2.85-43.42), being White versus being Black or Hispanic/Latinx (OR = 8.05, CI = 1.96-33.06), and lifetime overdose (OR = 1.96, CI = 1.16-19.80) were associated with higher odds of consistent possession. Recent opioid injection (OR = 3.66, CI = 1.34-9.94), being female (OR = 7.91, CI = 3.91-8.23), and being White (OR = 5.77, CI = 1.35-24.55) were associated with higher odds of consistent carriage. Not wanting to be perceived as a drug user was reported in nearly one third (29.0%; 190/656) of EMAs where inconsistent possession was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings paint a relatively positive picture of possession and carriage during COVID-related shutdowns, particularly among white and female participants, and highlight the importance of capturing time-varying factors to understand naloxone-related behavior. To curb growing disparities, outreach to equip Black and Hispanic/Latinx people with naloxone is needed as well as interventions to reduce stigma as a barrier to naloxone engagement.

A Note on Preexposure Prophylaxis Preferences Among Women Who Inject Drugs.

ABSTRACT: We informed women who inject drugs about different preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) formulations; they then ranked their preferences. Daily oral PrEP was most preferred, followed by injectable PrEP and vaginal rings/gels, especially among women of color. Multiple PrEP options should be discussed with women who inject drugs to increase uptake.

Long-Acting Injectable Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Preferred Over Other Modalities Among People Who Inject Drugs: Findings from a Qualitative Study in California.

People who inject drugs (PWID) have extraordinarily low uptake of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) despite high levels of need. Long-acting PrEP modalities hold promise for HIV prevention among PWID, but product preferences remain poorly understood. From September to November 2021, we conducted qualitative interviews with 28 HIV-negative, adult (≥18 years) PWID in San Diego County, CA, to explore their perspectives on daily oral PrEP pills and long-acting PrEP modalities (i.e., injections, implants, intravaginal rings, and broadly neutralizing antibodies), which we explained using standard scripts. Thematic analysis identified variations in PrEP modality interest and acceptability. We identified three key factors across the 28 interviews that appeared to influence PrEP modality preferences: perceived convenience of use, invasiveness, and familiarity (based on past experience). Overall, most participants preferred injectable PrEP over other modalities because they viewed injectable medications as convenient, noninvasive, and familiar. While injectable PrEP was recently approved for use in the United States and was most the acceptable PrEP modality in this sample, our findings suggest that intervention and implementation research is urgently needed to improve our understanding of strategies that could support access, uptake, and sustained adherence to longer-acting PrEP for PWID.

Impact of reduced restrictions on buprenorphine prescribing during COVID-19 among patients in a community-based treatment program.

Background: Medications such as buprenorphine are considered the gold standard for the treatment of opioid use disorders. This study aimed to determine whether less restrictive buprenorphine prescribing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted retention in and adherence to buprenorphine among patients accessing treatment from 2018-2020 at a community-based syringe services program. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we compared retention in treatment before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, with relaxed restrictions acting as the intervention in a natural experiment, we conducted a sub-analysis of "continuity participants" who accessed treatment services both before and during the COVID-19 period. Records of 418 historical control patients treated with buprenorphine before COVID-19 were compared to 88 patients enrolled during COVID-19 (n=43 remote telemedicine and n=45 remote provider with patient on-site). Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to assess risk factors for treatment discontinuation. The sub-analysis used proportion of days covered (PDC) differences before and during COVID-19 (n=164) for a paired analysis in a nonparametric bootstrap test. Results: The risk of discontinuation was 71% lower in those accessing remote telemedicine during COVID-19 (HR=0.29; CI: 0.18, 0.47) and 51% lower in those accessing their remote provider onsite during COVID-19 (HR=0.49; CI:0.31, 0.77), compared to the historical control group. The average PDC did not significantly differ before and during COVID-19 (difference=2.4%; CI:-0.6%, 5.3%). Conclusions: The risk of discontinuing treatment was lower in both COVID-19 treatment groups compared to historical controls. Less restrictive buprenorphine prescribing guidelines during COVID-19 led to improved retention in care over 6-months.

Who Can I Ask? Who Would I Tell? An Egocentric Network Analysis Among a Sample of Women At-Risk to Explore Anticipated Advice Seeking and Disclosure Around Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) health campaigns invite women to talk with their provider, partner, and peers about PrEP, though they do not offer specific guidance about who and how to engage. This study uses egocentric network methods in a sample of women at risk for HIV to understand what characteristics of women (egos), their networks, and network members (alters) were associated with anticipated PrEP advice-seeking and anticipated PrEP disclosure. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models revealed that women often consider close, supportive, and trusted network members as PrEP discussants while ego-level, network-level, and cross-level interactions depict the complexity of anticipated network activation. Findings highlight the importance of considering women at risk for HIV in a broader social context. Anticipated advice-seeking and disclosure related to PrEP were associated but distinct forms of network activation, which highlights the need to develop specific recommendations about who and how women should engage with their networks around PrEP.

Multiple Victimizations and Overdose Among Women With a History of Illicit Drug Use.

The experiences of violence and overdose are highly prevalent among women who use illicit drugs. This study sought to ascertain whether multiple victimizations during adulthood increase the frequency of women's overdose. The sample comprised 218 women recruited at Philadelphia harm reduction sites during 2016-2017. Victimization was assessed as exposure to 16 types of adulthood violence. Three measures were constructed for multiple victimizations: continuous and categorical polyvictimization, and predominant violence domain. Negative binomial regression estimated the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of lifetime overdoses from multiple victimizations. Lifetime history of opioid use (88.6%) and drug injection (79.5%) were common. Among overdose survivors (68.5%), the median of lifetime overdoses was 3. The majority of participants (58.7%) were victims of predominantly sexual violence, 26.1% experienced predominantly physical abuse/assault, and 3.7% were victims of predominantly verbal aggression/coercive control. Participants reported a mean of seven violence types; the higher-score category of polyvictimization (9-16 violence types) comprised 41.7% of the total sample. In multivariable models, one-unit increase in continuous polyvictimization was associated with 4% higher overdose rates (IRR: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.00, 1.08]). Compared to women who were not victimized (11.5%), those in the higher-score category of polyvictimization (IRR: 2.01; 95% CI: [1.06, 3.80]) and exposed to predominantly sexual violence (IRR: 2.10, 95% CI: [1.13, 3.91]) were expected to have higher overdose rates. Polyvictimization and sexual violence amplified the risk of repeated overdose among drug-involved women. Female overdose survivors need to be screened for exposure to multiple forms of violence, especially sexual violence. Findings underscore the need to scale-up victimization support and overdose prevention services for disenfranchised women.

Tina's ParTy line: Polysubstance use patterns in sexual minority men living with HIV who use methamphetamine.

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study examined the associations of demographic, structural and psychological factors with distinct typologies of polysubstance use in sexual minority men (SMM) living with HIV who use methamphetamine. METHODS: In total, 161 SMM living with HIV who reported methamphetamine use in the past 3 months were recruited in San Francisco from 2013 to 2017 for a randomised controlled trial. A latent class analysis was conducted by leveraging baseline measures of self-reported use of 15 substances in the past 3 months as well as validated screening measures of hazardous alcohol and cannabis use. Correlates of latent class membership were examined using a three-step categorical latent variable logistic regression. RESULTS: Four typologies of substance use were identified: (i) methamphetamine use only (43%); (ii) methamphetamine and crack-cocaine use (22%); (iii) party and play use-methamphetamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate and amyl nitrites (i.e. poppers) with erectile dysfunction drugs (31%); and (iv) high polysubstance use (4%). SMM of colour and those with a history of incarceration were more commonly classified as engaging in methamphetamine and crack-cocaine use compared to party and play use. Men with higher sexual compulsivity scores were more commonly classified as engaging in party and play use and polysubstance use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial heterogeneity in polysubstance use patterns among SMM living with HIV who use methamphetamine. This will inform the development of tailored substance use interventions addressing the unique needs of SMM of colour and targeting sexual compulsivity as a prominent comorbidity for some men.

Limited Risk Compensation Among Women Who Inject Drugs: Results From the Project Sexual Health Equity Preexposure Prophylaxis Demonstration Study in Philadelphia.

ABSTRACT: The impact of preexposure prophylaxis uptake on sexual and injection-related behaviors among women who inject drugs is poorly understood. Over 24 weeks, preexposure prophylaxis uptake among women who inject drugs was associated with increased sharing of injection equipment but not syringes and no changes in condomless sex, providing limited evidence of risk compensation in this vulnerable population.

Wearable biosensors have the potential to monitor physiological changes associated with opioid overdose among people who use drugs: A proof-of-concept study in a real-world setting.

INTRODUCTION: Wearable biosensors have the potential to monitor physiological change associated with opioid overdose among people who use drugs. METHODS: We enrolled 16 individuals who reported ≥ 4 daily opioid use events within the previous 30 day. Each was assigned a wearable biosensor that measured respiratory rate (RR) and actigraphy every 15 s for 5 days and also completed a daily interview assessing drug use. We describe the volume of RR data collected, how it varied by participant characteristics and drug use over time using repeated measures one-way ANOVA, episodes of acute respiratory depression (≤5 breaths/minute), and self-reported overdose experiences. RESULTS: We captured 1626.4 h of RR data, an average of 21.7 daily hours/participant over follow-up. Individuals with longer injection careers and those engaging in polydrug use captured significantly fewer total hours of respiratory data over follow-up compared to those with shorter injections careers (94.7 vs. 119.9 h, p = 0.04) and injecting fentanyl exclusively (98.7 vs. 119.5 h, p = 0.008), respectively. There were 385 drug use events reported over follow-up. There were no episodes of acute respiratory depression which corresponded with participant reports of overdose experiences. DISCUSSION: Our preliminary findings suggest that using a wearable biosensor to monitor physiological changes associated with opioid use was feasible. However, more sensitive biosensors that facilitate triangulation of multiple physiological data points and larger studies of longer duration are needed.

Overdose response among trained and untrained women with a history of illicit drug use: a mixed-methods examination.

Little is known about differences in bystander behavior among people who use drugs, trained and untrained in opioid overdose prevention. We examined three types of recommended overdose response - a 911 call, rescue breathing/CPR, and naloxone administration-among Philadelphia-based, predominantly street-involved women with a history of illicit drug use. The study utilized a convergent mixed methods approach integrating data from 186 quantitative survey responses and 38 semi-structured qualitative interviews. Quantitative findings revealed that compared to untrained women, trained women were more likely to administer naloxone (32.9% vs. 5.2%) and use two recommended responses (20.0% vs. 9.5%). No significant differences were found between the two groups in calling 911 or using rescue breathing/CPR. Qualitative findings indicated that barriers to enacting recommended overdose response were either structural or situational and included the avoidance of police, inability to carry naloxone or phone due to unstable housing, and perceived lack of safety on the streets and when interacting with strangers. Our study demonstrated that overdose training improved the frequency of naloxone administration among this sample of predominantly street-involved women. Future efforts need to focus on avoiding intrusive policing, scaling-up naloxone refill sites, and providing secondary naloxone distribution via drug user networks.

Differential impacts of COVID-19 across racial-ethnic identities in persons with opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health disparities, particularly among at-risk people with opioid use disorder (OUD). We sought to characterize the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on this group to understand how the pandemic has affected this group, this group's public health response to COVID-19, and whether there were differences by race/ethnicity. METHODS: This study recruited its sample from a drug treatment setting in the northeast region of the United States. We surveyed 110 individuals on methadone as treatment for OUD and assessed COVID-19-related impacts on their health behaviors and other indices of social, physical, and mental well-being, including sexual health behaviors, substance use, mental health status, health care access, income, and employment. RESULTS: Our findings highlight overall increases in depression, anxiety, loneliness, and frustration among the sample of people with OUD; the study also observed decreases in financial stability. Significant differences between groups indicated a greater financial burden among racial-ethnic minorities; this subgroup also reported greater direct adverse effects of COVID-19, including being more concerned about contracting COVID-19, not being able to get a COVID-19 test, and knowing someone who had died from COVID-19. A greater proportion of Whites indicated increases in alcohol consumption and non-prescription drug use than did racial-ethnic minorities. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment providers must be vigilant in managing direct and indirect outcomes of COVID-19 among people with OUD. Findings highlight the need to develop culturally competent, differentiated interventions in partnership with community-based organizations to meet the unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presents for people in treatment for OUD.

The Influence of PrEP-Related Stigma and Social Support on PrEP-Use Disclosure among Women Who Inject Drugs and Social Network Members.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a promising but underutilized HIV prevention strategy for Women who Inject Drugs (WWID). Stigma and disclosure concerns have been key barriers to PrEP use among women in PrEP efficacy trials. Social support has been found to buffer against some PrEP stigma, though these factors have been largely unexplored among WWID. Investigating how WWID disclose PrEP use is important given evidence that disclosure is associated with higher adherence. We aimed to identify the impact of stigma and support on PrEP disclosure within social networks of WWID participating in a PrEP demonstration project in Philadelphia, PA, USA. PrEP-using WWID ≥ 18 years completed social network surveys. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for the correlation of network structure. Thirty-nine WWID (i.e. egos) named an average of 9.5 ± 3.3 network members (i.e. alters), for a total sample of 371 unique relationships. Egos disclosed their PrEP use to an average of 4.0 alters (SD = 2.8). Related to PrEP stigma, participants had 0.4 times decreased odds of PrEP disclosure with alters who would disapprove of them taking PrEP (95% CI: 0.1-0.9). Related to support, participants had 2.5 times higher odds of disclosure among peers who could provide PrEP advice (95% CI: 1.0-6.0). Interventions that increase social support and decrease stigma are pivotal for increasing PrEP use disclosure among WWID.

Prevalence and Correlates of Syringe Disposal Box Use in a Philadelphia Neighborhood with High Levels of Public Drug Injection.

Background: Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, USA) is facing an unprecedented public health crisis due to fentanyl use. To combat drug-related litter, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health installed 7 public syringe disposal boxes (SDB) in Kensington, the neighborhood most impacted by the opioid crisis and home to a syringe exchange. Methods: We used street- and business-intercepts to recruit residents (N=358) and business owners/staff (N=78) who completed a brief survey with two binary items measuring observing and using SDB. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors independently associated with SDB observance and use. Results: 78% (340/436) observed SDB and 34.1% (116/340) had ever used SDB among those who had seen them. Unstably housed persons had 4.3 times greater odds of observing SDB (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR= 4.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56, 11.82) and had 2.5 times greater odds of using SDB (aOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.33, 4.74) as did people who use opioids (aOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.45, 4.72). Among individuals reporting opioid use who also saw SDB (n=123), those who were unstably housed were more likely to use SDB than those with stable housing (67.8% vs 45.3%, p=.012). Conclusion: These results suggest Kensington residents, especially those who are unstably housed, use SDB once they see them in the neighborhood.

"PrEP just isn't my priority": Adherence challenges among women who inject drugs participating in a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration project in Philadelphia, PA USA.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the ability to curb HIV transmission among women if they are highly adherent (e.g. 6/7 weekly doses). In a recent PrEP demonstration project with 95 women who inject drugs (WWID) in Philadelphia, PA, USA, PrEP uptake was high but adherence was low. This qualitative study draws upon the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations (BMVP) to describe how the context of 23 WWID's lives challenged PrEP adherence using narrative data from in-depth interviews. Content analysis suggests that women's need to organize their day around predisposing survival needs made it difficult to prioritize PrEP. Adherence was further challenged by dis-enabling structural forces such as entry into institutions that do not provide PrEP (e.g., drug treatment and correctional facilities) and medication diversion to illicit marketplaces. Overtime, women's perceived need for PrEP was dynamic: in periods they characterized as risky, women considered PrEP highly beneficial and described enhanced motivation to adhere. In periods of low perceived risk, women were less committed to continuing daily PrEP in the context of their competing survival needs. In sum, WWID faced challenges to PrEP adherence that correspond to all of the BMVP domains. To optimize PrEP for WWID, multi-level programs are needed that address the determinants that both increase HIV susceptibility and undermine adherence.

"I probably got a minute": Perceptions of fentanyl test strip use among people who use stimulants.

BACKGROUND: Fentanyl dominates the heroin supply in many regions of the United States. One harm reduction response has been the distribution of fentanyl test strips to people who use heroin to test for the presence of fentanyl. Reports increasingly indicate that fentanyl contamination is occurring in the illicit stimulant market, but whether people who use stimulants would use fentanyl test strips is unknown. METHODS: Between January 2019 and January 2020, fifteen people in Philadelphia, PA who reported stimulant use completed a semi-structured interview with questions about their perceptions of fentanyl and willingness to use fentanyl test strips. Data were coded and analyzed for thematic content using constructs from the Health Belief Model and risk environment theory. RESULTS: Participants primarily reported using crack cocaine or crack cocaine/heroin, while some used methamphetamine, powder cocaine, or prescription opioids. All were aware of fentanyl and believed they were susceptible to a fentanyl overdose as stimulant users. Participants perceived benefits of using test strips but reported barriers, such as the unpredictable nature of buying or using drugs and not wanting to delay drug use to test. Structural conditions impeded participant actions to reduce overdose risk if their drugs tested positive for fentanyl. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl test strips were a desired harm reduction tool by many participants who used stimulants. In addition to providing access to the strips, programs should tailor overdose prevention education to these clients by acknowledging susceptibility, amplifying benefits, and addressing drug-specific barriers to use of fentanyl test strips.

Intention to initiate and uptake of PrEP among women who injects drugs in a demonstration project: an application of the theory of planned behavior.

Some women who inject drugs (WWID) would benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), yet there are few studies of issues related to uptake in real-world settings. In this study, participants (n = 95) were offered PrEP and responded to items measuring PrEP-related attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. We tested associations with intention to initiate PrEP and uptake. Most WWID (88%) intended to initiate PrEP and 78% accepted a prescription. Compared to WWID who did not express PrEP intentions, those who did were less concerned about attitudinal and perceived behavioral control constructs such as temporary (75% vs. 36%, p = 0.01) and long-term (63% vs. 27%, p = 0.05) side effects, negative interactions with their birth control (93% vs. 38%, p < 0.01), their ability to take a daily pill (80% vs. 36%, p < 0.01), and the cost of PrEP (87% vs. 36%, p < 0.01). WWID who went on to take PrEP had fewer concerns with subjective norms constructs such as talking to health care providers about sex (91% vs. 65%, p < 0.01) and drug use (88% vs. 55%, p < 0.01) compared to those who did not. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control influenced intention while subjective norms had a greater impact on actual uptake.

Predictors of Willingness to Diffuse PrEP Information within Ego-Centric Networks of Women Who Inject Drugs.

Little is known about how social networks among women who inject drugs (WWID) can be leveraged to increase awareness about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We tested the hypothesis that interpersonal characteristics influence willingness of WWID to communicate PrEP information with peers. Forty WWID ≥ 18 years completed social network surveys. Participants named on average 9.3 (SD = 3.3) network members, resulting in 375 unique relationships. WWID were willing to share PrEP information with 83% of network members. Participants had higher odds of willingness to share information within relationships when the network member was female, homeless and perceived to be at risk for HIV. Among relationships with family members and transactional sex clients, stronger emotional closeness was associated with higher odds of willingness to share information. Peer interventions where WWID share PrEP information with peers may be an efficient approach to increase PrEP awareness among this vulnerable population.

Motivations for PrEP-Related Interpersonal Communication Among Women Who Inject Drugs: A Qualitative Egocentric Network Study.

A qualitative egocentric social network approach was taken to explore motivations for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-related communication between women who inject drugs and network members. Eligible participants were HIV-negative, 18 years or older, and participating in a PrEP demonstration project in Philadelphia, PA, USA. The study employed content analysis of in-depth interviews to identify themes related to contextual and relational factors impacting PrEP communication within networks. Participants (n = 20) named on average three network members, resulting in a total of 57 unique relationships. PrEP conversations occurred within 30 of the 57 relationships, and motivations were to benefit others, to benefit themselves, and due to a sense of obligation. Some conversations also occurred when a peer unexpectedly found their pills. Taking a qualitative approach to network analysis provided a nuanced understanding of how interpersonal characteristics motivated PrEP conversations. Network interventions that facilitate information diffusion and social support may increase PrEP uptake and adherence among women who inject drugs.

Integrating HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis With Community-Based Syringe Services for Women Who Inject Drugs: Results From the Project SHE Demonstration Study.

INTRODUCTION: To guide future preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation for women who inject drugs (WWID), a population increasingly represented in new HIV cases in the United States, we present results from a demonstration project integrated within a syringe services program (SSP) in Philadelphia, PA. METHODS: WWID ≥18 years were educated about and offered 24 weeks of daily PrEP. Participants completed surveys and clinical assessments at baseline and at weeks 1, 3, 12, and 24. We used descriptive statistics to estimate feasibility/acceptability, engagement in the care cascade, HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STI) and pregnancy, issues of safety/tolerability, and preferences/satisfaction with PrEP services. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to identify factors associated with PrEP uptake and retention. RESULTS: We recruited 136 WWID. Of those, 95 were included in the final sample, and 63 accepted a PrEP prescription at week 1. Uptake was associated with greater baseline frequency of SSP access [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24 to 2.77], inconsistent condom use (aOR = 3.38; 95% CI: 1.07 to 10.7), and experiencing sexual assault (aOR = 5.89; 95% CI: 1.02, 33.9). Of these 95, 42 (44.2%) were retained at week 24. Retention was higher among women who reported more frequent baseline SSP access (aOR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.24). Self-reported adherence was high but discordant with urine-based quantification of tenofovir. Baseline STI prevalence was 17.9%; there were 2 HIV seroconversions and 1 pregnancy. Safety/tolerability issues were uncommon, and acceptability/satisfaction was high. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating PrEP with SSP services is feasible and acceptable for WWID. This suggests that daily PrEP is a viable prevention tool for this vulnerable population.

Role of Social Networks and Social Norms in Future PrEP Use in a Racially Diverse Sample of At-Risk Women and Members of Their Social Networks.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing the risk of HIV infection, uptake remains low among many who are most vulnerable to HIV, such as Black and Latinx women. Interventions that target social networks to encourage at-risk women to initiate PrEP are underused. DESIGN: This study used an egocentric network design and sampled Black/African American and Latinx women at risk of HIV as well as people from their social networks (N = 211) in a small, western city. METHODS: Multivariable generalized linear mixed effects regression models investigated individual-level and network-level characteristics associated with likely future PrEP use. RESULTS: PrEP awareness was low, but once informed, 36% considered themselves likely to take it in the future. Perceived risk of HIV, perceived barriers to HIV testing, and participation in a 12-step program increased odds of anticipated PrEP use. A higher proportion of friends in one's network decreased odds of future PrEP use, whereas a higher proportion of network members who tested regularly for HIV increased odds of future PrEP use. A marginally significant interaction was detected between proportion of friends in one's network and proportion of the network perceived to test for HIV regularly (ie, testing norms). When HIV testing norms were low, a higher proportion of friends in the network decreased odds of likely PrEP use. However, this effect was reversed in contexts with strong testing norms. CONCLUSION: Women who are interested in PrEP may be embedded within social and normative contexts that can foster or inhibit PrEP uptake.