973. PrEP Care Continuum among Transgender Women at a Patient-Centered PrEP Program in Atlanta, GA
Authors: Aldredge Amalia , Roth Grant H , Vaidya Akanksha , Duarte Ana Paula , Kundu Suprateek , Zheng Ziduo , Lora Meredith , Gruen Judah K , Sheth Anandi N , Sales Jessica , Cantos Valeria D , Smith Bradley L 
Published: January 2021

Background

HIV disproportionally affects transgender women (TGW) of color, with a prevalence of 26% and 44% among Latinx and Black TGW, respectively. Low medication adherence likely contributed to suboptimal pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) efficacy among TGW in clinical trials, but real-world PrEP outcome data for TGW is limited. In this study, we developed the PrEP care continuum for TGW referred to a PrEP program at a large, safety-net urban hospital in the Southeast.

Figure 1. PrEP care continuum of TGW referred a PrEP program. Referrals include all TGW referred to PrEP clinic, eligibility includes all those referred who were deemed eligible for PrEP, linkage refers to those eligible who had ongoing care at the PrEP clinic, prescription refers to those who received their first prescription of PrEP, initiation includes those who started taking the PrEP they were prescribed, and persistence includes those who had a visit within 6 months of study end.

Methods

We analyzed data for those referred to the PrEP program from 3/2018 to 2/2020. We determined the proportion of TGW who were linked to the program, provided a PrEP prescription, started PrEP, and persisted in PrEP care, defined as having at least one follow-up visit within 6 months. Using a multivariate regression model, including age, race, ethnicity, mental health co-morbidities, and substance use, we determined factors associated with persistence in PrEP care. We calculated rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV incidence.

Results

Of the 321 total referrals for PrEP, 42 (13%) were TGW. 81% of TGW were referred from a co-located gender clinic. Median age was 28.5 years (IQR 23-34), 62% were Black, 21% had mental health co-morbidities, 45% used substances, and 35% engaged in transactional sex. Of all TGW who were referred, 37 (88%) were eligible for PrEP and linked to care, 36 (85.7%) were prescribed and initiated PrEP, and 22 (52.4%) persisted in care at the end of the study period. There were no factors associated with persistence in PrEP care. The most common STIs during the first visit were pharyngeal gonorrhea (22.7%) and syphilis (16.7%). STI incidence was highest for rectal chlamydia (12.5%) and pharyngeal gonorrhea (6.5%). There was one HIV seroconversion during the study period.

Conclusion

In a public hospital-based PrEP clinic in Atlanta with a co-located gender clinic, TGW had high rates of linkage to care and PrEP prescription and initiation, despite high rates of mental health diagnoses and substance use. However, there was a significant drop-off in persistence. STI prevalence and incidence were high, but there was only one HIV seroconversion, highlighting the potential benefits of PrEP. Future studies are needed to assess interventions to optimize persistence in PrEP care among TGW.

Disclosures

Bradley L. Smith, PharMD, AAHIVP, Gilead Sciences, Inc (Advisor or Review Panel member)