1. Perceptions of people who inject drugs towards HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Australia
- Author
-
Karen J. Chronister, Marianne Jauncey, Mary Ellen Harrod, Allison M. Salmon, Phillip Read, and Catherine Kostovski
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Demographics ,Anti-HIV Agents ,Cross-sectional study ,Sexual Behavior ,Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ,HIV Infections ,medicine.disease_cause ,03 medical and health sciences ,Pre-exposure prophylaxis ,Risk-Taking ,0302 clinical medicine ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,Needle Sharing ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Substance Abuse, Intravenous ,Needle sharing ,030505 public health ,business.industry ,Australia ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Needle-Exchange Programs ,Risk perception ,Substance abuse ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Infectious Diseases ,Willingness to use ,Family medicine ,Female ,Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis ,0305 other medical science ,business - Abstract
Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are a priority for HIV prevention. This study aimed to determine perceptions, potential eligibility and willingness to use PrEP among PWID in Sydney. Methods: Clients completed a cross-sectional survey to collect data on demographics, perceived risk of HIV and willingness to use PrEP, which were then analysed. Results: Twelve (7%) of 172 HIV-negative participants were eligible for PrEP under current guidelines for injecting reasons, of whom three would also be eligible for sexual risk, leaving nine (5%) eligible for injecting reasons alone. Half had heard of PrEP and, of these, 65% would consider taking it. Most (88%) thought they would continue using needle syringe program services. A minority (8%) indicated they may be likely to share needles and syringes or be less concerned about injecting partners’ HIV status (26%). Conclusions: Although PrEP will benefit a small proportion of PWID, this may equate to a significant number nationally. Policy development around PrEP incorporating affected populations will best support the community of people currently injecting to keep rates of HIV low.
- Published
- 2019