| Title: |
High acceptability of PrEP teleconsultation and HIV self-testing among PrEP users during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil |
| Authors: |
Hoagland, Brenda, Torres, Thiago S., Bezerra, Daniel R.B., Benedetti, Marcos, Pimenta, Cristina, Veloso, Valdilea G., Grinsztejn, Beatriz |
| Source: |
Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases. January 2021 25(1) |
| Publisher Information: |
Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases, 2021. |
| Publication Year: |
2021 |
| Subject Terms: |
Telemedicine, PrEP, HIV self-testing, COVID-19, Brazil |
| More Details: |
In March 2020, telemedicine and HIV self-testing were adopted by Brazilian Public Health services to minimize disruptions in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) access and delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand the acceptability of PrEP teleconsultation and HIV self-testing, we conducted a web-based study during social distancing period (April–May, 2020) among men who have sex with men and transgender/non-binary individuals using social media. Out of the 2375 HIV negative respondents, 680 reported PrEP use and were included in this analysis. Median age was 33 years (IQR: 28–40), 98% cisgender men, 56% white, 74% high education, and 68% middle/high income. Willingness to use HIVST was 79% and 32% received an HIV self-testing during social distancing period. The majority reported preference for PrEP/HIV self-testing home delivery instead of collecting at the service. PrEP teleconsultation was experienced by 21% and most reported feeling satisfied with the procedures. High acceptability of PrEP teleconsultation was reported by 70%. In ordinal logistic model, having higher education was associated with high aceptability of PrEP teleconsultation (aOR:1.62; 95%CI: 1.07–2.45). Our results point out that PrEP teleconsultation and PrEP/HIV self-testing home delivery could be implemented by PrEP services in Brazil to avoid PrEP shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter as an option to increase retention and adherence. |
| Document Type: |
other |
| File Description: |
text/html |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
1413-8670 |
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.bjid.2020.11.002 |
| Access URL: |
http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-86702021000100500 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Accession Number: |
edssci.S1413.86702021000100500 |
| Database: |
SciELO |
