(1314) Self-perceived Changes in Sexual Behaviors of Patients Taking Prep for HIV

Objectives: This observational survey study aims to assess the self-reported change in sexual behaviors in patients taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to determine the best practices for safe-sex counseling and monitoring. PrEP and antiretrovirals have dramatically reduced the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While the results are a net positive, there may be a potential risk for increased transmission of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as sexual risk mitigation strategies decrease. In order to understand the relationship between PrEP use and sexual risk mitigation, this study will survey PrEP patients to collect information regarding sexual behaviors.

Methods: Patients taking PrEP will be identified from two community-based specialty pharmacy locations. Patients will be identified when refill calls or initial counseling assessments are prompted in the specialty medication management system. When the prescriptions are filled for eligible participants, a provided QR code will take patients to a secure Qualtrics survey. All patients will receive similar questions, and their responses will be sorted into two groups depending on if they are filling PrEP for the first time or getting their refill. Patients will receive a series of questions about historical and current condom use, STI history, single and multiple partners, and knowledge of the scope of PrEP protection. After completion of these questions, patients will receive demographics questions asking about age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

Results: Results will include responses to survey questions and demographics data. A Chi square analysis will be performed to compare the responses from the first time PrEP users to current PrEP users. Additionally, the number of surveys sent out per month will be recorded to calculate the percentage of patients who responded to the survey.

Conclusions: The results from this study will show if there is a need for increased counseling and follow up for PrEP patients to mitigate the increased risk for other STIs. Potential actions include increased counseling about safe-sex practices during initial counseling, reassessments (six-month pharmacist follow up), and refill calls with an emphasis on increased education about PrEP and what it protects from, and providing resources to help patients access sexual health care such as STI testing and condoms.