“…If the Doctor Didn't Suggest it, Then I Would Probably Push the Idea Farther in My Head.”: Centering the Diverse Voices of Black Women to Understand PrEP Awareness and Access in the United States South
Courtney Peasant Bonner, Erin Cox, Indya Hairston, Ayanna Smith, Brittni Howard, Felicia A. Browne, Sarah T. Roberts, Kineka J. Hull, Dazon Dixon Diallo, Wendee M. WechsbergABSTRACT
Context
In Atlanta, Georgia Black women account for most of new HIV diagnoses among women and 30% of Black women may benefit from pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Yet their PrEP knowledge, awareness, and access are low.
Methods
This study centers the voices of an economically diverse sample of 22 Black women—annual incomes from $0 to greater than $150,000—to explore their perspectives about PrEP. After consenting, women engaged in focus groups ( n = 6). Rapid qualitative analysis was used to identify themes.
Results
Participants indicated that there was low percieved appropriateness of PrEP among Black women; expressed that Black women desired PrEP; emphasized the importance of providers' recommendations in PrEP decision‐making; and identified stigma, racial bias, cost, and side effects as PrEP access and initiation barriers. Most women indicated a preference for injectable PrEP.
Conclusion
Marketing that appeals to Black women; efforts that address the cost of PrEP; and PrEP education for clinicians may increase PrEP awareness, access, and uptake among Black women.