(P289) Knowledge and Barriers to HIV Pre-Exposure prophylaxis in Southern California

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has greatly enhanced HIV prevention, yet disparities in PrEP uptake remain among gay and bisexual men of color when compared to their White counterparts. Our aim was to investigate knowledge and attitudes among non-using PrEP residents at risk for HIV infection in a semi-urban, two-county region in Southern California.,.

Methods: We recruited adults between September 2022 to January 2023, using geolocation-focused online advertisements on social media and dating apps along with palm cards with QR codes distributed by local clinics and organizations. Eligible participants were: 1) male 2) over the age of 18 years; 3) reported sex with men; 4) residents of San Bernardino or Riverside counties, California; 5) HIV-uninfected; and 6) currently not taking PrEP. Descriptive analyses (mean, standard deviations, frequencies, and proportions) were performed.

Results: Our sample included 84 males, with median age of 32 years, with a majority of Hispanic/Latinx (51.2%) and White (62.3%) participants. Most individuals reported having sex with men only (77.1%), having public (50.6%) or private medical insurance (30.1%), had ever engaged in oral sex (73.8%), receptive anal sex (57.1%) and group sex (50.0%). On average, participants used condoms in 22.5% of their sexual encounters during the past 6 months. Most had read or heard about PrEP (77.4%) and felt familiar with PrEP (63.8%), have seen information on PrEP via social media (48.8%) and dating sites or apps (45.2%).

Nearly half (49.4%) of participants were unaware that you can obtain PrEP if uninsured. Most participants were comfortable potentially taking PrEP (57.0%) and potentially engaging sexually with someone on PrEP (76.2%). Participants reported support from their LGBGTQI+ community (33.3%) and social networks (51.2%) in taking PrEP. Most traveled 5 to 10 miles for medical care (34.5%). Participants felt comfortable discussing sexual behaviors with their provider (50.0%). In addition, participants reported that local providers understood their culture (51.2%) and they could communicate in their preferred language (67.4%).

Conclusion: This study underscored that non-PrEP using gay and bisexual men in the San Bernardino-Riverside County area are informed and knowledgeable of PrEP and that health care providers were generally culturally competent with LGBTQI+ sexual health behaviors.