An educational initiative in response to identified PrEP prescribing needs among PCPs in the Southern U.S.
Published
Journal Article
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention method, but many primary care physicians (PCPs) have not incorporated PrEP into practice. While PrEP may be a key strategy to reducing high HIV transmission rates in the southern US, knowledge about PrEP prescribing patterns among PCPs in this region is lacking. An online survey was sent to a large network of PCPs at an academic medical center in North Carolina in October 2015. The survey was repeated in September 2016, after an educational intervention that included on-site trainings at 14 PCP offices. Chi-square tests were used to compare PrEP prescribing patterns among providers. The initial survey was sent to 389 PCPs, with 115 (30%) responding. Of these, 78% reported seeing men who have sex with men (MSM). Only 17% had prescribed PrEP. The most frequently identified barrier was lack of knowledge (60%). When the survey was repeated after the educational initiative, 79 PCPs (20%) responded. Of these, 90% reported seeing MSM, and 35% had prescribed PrEP. PCPs who had attended a training were more likely to have prescribed PrEP (OR 4.84, CI 1.77-13.21). In conclusion, PrEP prescribing among PCPs in the southern US is low. A survey among PCPs identified lack of knowledge as a barrier to prescribing, motivating an institutional-wide educational campaign in response. Further efforts are needed to continue to raise awareness and educate PCPs in the South about PrEP.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Clement, ME; Seidelman, J; Wu, J; Alexis, K; McGee, K; Okeke, NL; Samsa, G; McKellar, M
Published Date
- May 2018
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 30 / 5
Start / End Page
- 650 - 655
PubMed ID
- 28971705
Pubmed Central ID
- 28971705
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1360-0451
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1080/09540121.2017.1384534
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England