PrEP Initiation and Adherence Among Black Cisgender Women in Mississippi: The Role of HIV and PrEP Stigma and Social Support

Overview

Journal Womens Health (Lond)

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2024 Nov 20

PMID 39566475

Authors

Deja Knight

Mauda Monger

Karlye Phillips

Amina Antar

Stefan Baral

Jamila K Stockman

Amy Nunn

Philip Chan

Kenneth Mayer

Leandro Mena

Trace Kershaw

Tiara C Willie

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Stigma and lack of social support are barriers to HIV prevention, especially among cisgender Black women in the United States. While HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can decrease HIV transmission, PrEP initiation and adherence remains low among Black women, especially in the U.S. South.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize experiences with stigma and social support among PrEP-naïve and PrEP-experienced Black cisgender women in Mississippi.

Design: Qualitative study in which semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted.

Methods: We purposively recruited PrEP-naïve cisgender Black women who met PrEP indications to participate in focus groups and all PrEP-experienced cisgender Black women at a sexual health clinic in Jackson, Mississippi to participate in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze focus group and interview transcripts.

Results: A total of 37 PrEP-naïve Black cisgender women participated across 6 focus groups and 8 PrEP-experienced cisgender Black women completed semi-structured interviews. Four themes were identified: (1) the intersection of gendered racism, discrimination, and HIV stigma, (2) enacted and anticipated PrEP stigma, (3) stigma mitigation strategies and PrEP adherence, and (4) social support's role in PrEP initiation and adherence. PrEP-naïve and -experienced Black women discussed the negative consequence that sexual stigmatization and gendered racism has on HIV testing. PrEP-naïve Black women discussed how HIV stigma decreases PrEP initiation. Conversely, PrEP-experienced Black women were able to identify strategies they utilized to mitigate stigma. PrEP-experienced Black women discussed how differing levels of social support impact their PrEP use.

Conclusion: Improving social support and stigma mitigation strategies could help improve PrEP initiation and adherence among cisgender Black women at-risk of acquiring HIV in the U.S. South. Educating communities on PrEP, and training providers on stigma-mitigating strategies when serving Black women in the U.S. South who are seeking HIV prevention is paramount.

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