Date Available

4-26-2023

Year of Publication

2023

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advisor

Dr. Angela Grubbs

Committee Member

Dr. Julianne Ossege

Committee Member

Dr. Elizabeth Tovar

Co-Director of Graduate Studies

Takeisha Nunez

Abstract

Background: In 2018, the total number of HIV cases in the United States was 1.2 million. Almost 186,500 of these cases were attributed to intravenous drug use. With the adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) there is approximately a 49% decrease in the rates of HIV among people who inject drugs and the most significant barrier to PrEP among this population is a lack of awareness and knowledge.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine participants’ of a needle and syringe exchange site knowledge, awareness and attitudes of PrEP after reviewing an educational handout about PrEP.

Methods: A quasi experimental one-group posttest-only design was used. Participants verbally consented after reading a cover letter and were provided an educational handout about PrEP. After reviewing, participants completed a post-survey. The sample included 33 participants who presented to the clinic on the two days of data collection.

Results: Almost half of participants (45%) had never heard of PREP and 73% learned something new about PrEP from the educational handout. Although only 21% were interested in taking PrEP and only 18% were willing to be referred to a provider to start PrEP. Twenty four percent were not sure about their interest in taking PrEP and 30% were not sure about willing to be referred to a provider to start PrEP.

Conclusions: This study showed an educational handout can be an effective way of disseminating information about PrEP among this population. Knowledge and awareness about PrEP in this population remains low, although this study showed an increase. Future research is needed to understand and address reasons for uncertainty about PrEP.

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