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Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness and Prescribing Behaviors Among Primary Care Providers: DocStyles Survey, 2016–2020, United States

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Abstract

Few studies have assessed providers’ intent of prescribing PrEP in the future. We analyzed cross-sectional web-based surveys to estimate trends from 2016 to 2020 in PrEP awareness and prescribing behaviors in the United States among primary care providers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence of PrEP awareness, prescribing behaviors, and likelihood of prescribing PrEP in the next 12 months. The adjusted prevalence for PrEP awareness was significantly higher in 2019 (93.7%, 95% CI 91.9%, 95.2%) compared to 2018 (88.1%, 95% CI 85.5%, 90.3%). The adjusted prevalence for prescribing PrEP was significantly higher in 2019 (16.4%, 95% CI 13.6%, 19.6%) and 2020 (15.6%, 95% CI 13.0%, 18.7%) compared to 2018 (12.2%, 95% CI 10.0%, 14.7%). Practicing in the West and regularly screening for HIV were associated with higher PrEP awareness and provision. Studies should examine factors associated with PrEP provision for groups with increased risk for HIV.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Correspondence to Jamal T. Jones.

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Jones, J.T., deCastro, B.R., August, E.M. et al. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness and Prescribing Behaviors Among Primary Care Providers: DocStyles Survey, 2016–2020, United States. AIDS Behav 25, 1267–1275 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-03089-5

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