Exploring the Educational Needs of Non-Infectious Diseases Physicians and Health Care Providers on Prescription of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Women
About the Study
In Canada, there were 1,833 new diagnoses of HIV in Canada in 2022 and there were 597 new diagnoses of HIV in females (rate of 3.1 per 100,000 population). Data from 2020 in Canada showed that among males living with HIV, the 90-90-90 targets were more similar to that of the general population, however females had lower awareness of infection and rates of viral suppression (88%-85%-90%). There is a need to re-envision PrEP delivery for women.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) refers to the use of specific antiretroviral medications by HIV-negative persons who are at risk of infection before and continuing after HIV exposures, for preventing HIV. PrEP is highly safe and effective, and is recommended in evidence-based clinical guidelines worldwide, including Canada. However, the number of healthcare providers who are skilled in prescribing PrEP is limited, and there is interest in expanding PrEP prescribing among clinicians who work in other areas of medicine including obstetrics/gynecology, addictions medicine, psychiatry, among other fields, and other health care providers including pharmacists.
The purpose of this study is to better understand opportunities to engage new types of healthcare providers in PrEP delivery specifically for women, and to conduct an educational needs assessment of these clinicians. Knowledge or experience in prescribing HIV PrEP is not a prerequisite to participation. Recruitment is now closed.