Predictors of PrEP Uptake Among Patients with Equivalent Access

Increasing PrEP adoption for eligible individuals is critical, but limited research has examined individual-level factors that might be amenable to educational or behavioral intervention. Using data from a PrEP demonstration project conducted at a community health center, we examined differences in behavioral and psychosocial factors between patients offered PrEP who chose to accept it and those who declined. In a multivariable model, the odds of accepting PrEP were higher among those with an HIV-positive main partner, greater risk behavior in the past 3 months, and higher HIV risk perception. PrEP adoption was positively associated with PrEP adherence self-efficacy and negatively associated with perceived sensitivity to medicines. These psychological variables were associated with measures of PrEP- and HIV-related stigma. In the multivariable model, there were no differences in PrEP adoption by demographic factors or socioeconomic status. Data suggest that patients’ decisions about PrEP uptake may be impacted not only by objective and subjective HIV risk, but also by psychological variables such as stigma beliefs, medication beliefs, and self-efficacy.