Predictors of PrEP awareness, PrEP discussion and interest in long-acting injectable PrEP among Filipina transfeminine adults

• Authors: Arjee Javellana Restar, University of Washington; Ma Irene Quilantang, Brown University; Jeffrey Wickersham, Yale University; Alex Adia, Brown University; John Guigayoma, Brown University; Amiel Nazer Bermudez, Brown University; Omar Galárraga, Brown University; Dalmacio D Flores, Yale University; Susan Cu-Uvin, Brown University; Jennifer Nazareno, Brown University; Don Operario, Emory University; Olivia Sison, Brown University
• Journal Title: JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY
• Volume: Volume 26, Number 6
• Publisher: JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD | 2023-06-01, Pages e26080-e26080
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26080
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Biology, Biostatistics; Health Sciences, Health Care Management
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Immunology; Infectious Diseases; HIV; PrEP; transfeminine; transgender; Philippines; implementation; TRANSGENDER WOMEN; ACCEPTABILITY; FACILITATORS; BARRIERS; MEN; SEX

Abstract

Introduction: Transfeminine adults are impacted by the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, and newly approved modalities of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including long-acting injectable (LAI-PrEP), could be beneficial for this group. To inform implementation, we analysed PrEP awareness, discussion and interest in taking LAI-PrEP among Filipina transfeminine adults. Methods: We utilized secondary data from the #ParaSaAtin survey that sampled Filipina transfeminine adults (n = 139) and conducted a series of multivariable logistic regressions with lasso selection to explore factors independently associated with PrEP outcomes, including awareness, discussion with trans friends and interest in LAI-PrEP. Results: Overall, 53% of Filipina transfeminine respondents were aware of PrEP, 39% had discussed PrEP with their trans friends and 73% were interested in LAI-PrEP. PrEP awareness was associated with being non-Catholic (p = 0.017), having previously been HIV tested (p = 0.023), discussing HIV services with a provider (p<0.001) and having high HIV knowledge (p = 0.021). Discussing PrEP with friends was associated with older age (p = 0.040), having experienced healthcare discrimination due to transgender identity (p = 0.044), having HIV tested (p = 0.001) and having discussed HIV services with a provider (p < 0.001). Very interested in LAI-PrEP was associated with living in Central Visayas (p = 0.045), having discussed HIV services with a provider (p = 0.001) and having discussed HIV services with a sexual partner (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Implementing LAI-PrEP in the Philippines requires addressing systemic improvements across personal, interpersonal, social and structural levels in healthcare access, including efforts to create healthcare settings and environments with providers who are trained and competent in transgender health and can address the social and structural drivers of trans health inequities, including HIV and barriers to LAI-PrEP.