1292. HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Implementation at Silom Community Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand, 2016–2018

Abstract

Background. Since 2014, the Thailand National Guidelines have recommended pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV among persons at risk. In March 2016, Silom Community Clinic (SCC) began PrEP provision to men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods. SCC staf routinely counseled MSM and TGW attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing about PrEP. If clients believed that they were at substantial risk of HIV and were interested in PrEP, they could receive PrEP afer screening that included HIV and renal function testing. Eligible clients received a 30-day supply of daily oral tenofovir-emtricitabine costing 800 Baht (30 USD), and completed a baseline computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) on knowledge and behaviors. At every 3-month follow-up, PrEP clients had a CASI on adherence; if they were interested in discontinuation of PrEP, they completed a CASI that included reasons for discontinuation. We conducted a descriptive analysis of baseline and follow-up CASI results. Results. From March 2016 to February 2018, 192 clients were prescribed PrEP, and 80 (42%) continued PrEP for at least 6 months. The median age of clients starting PrEP was 31 years (range, 17-67 years), and 98% were MSM. Overall, most (77%) reported at least 1 of four risk behaviors in the last 3 months; among the 148, 120 (81%) had a sex partner with unknown or positive HIV status, 99 (67%) had anal sex without a condom, 22 (15%) reported an STI, and 16 (11%) received money or goods in exchange for sex. Among the 166 clients who returned for at least one follow-up visit, 135 (81%) completed the CASI at the last follow-up visit; of those, 106 (78%) reported 100% adherence to daily PrEP in the last 7 days, and 126 (93%) reported >=80% adherence in the last 30 days. Of the 36 clients who discontinued PrEP and completed CASI, 33% reported the reason for discontinuation was no current HIV risk (33%); most (69%) reported that they would consider PrEP in the future. Conclusion. Most PrEP users reported adherence to daily PrEP, and almost one half of those starting PrEP continued through month six. PrEP use at SCC is dynamic, and commonly started and stopped based on self-assessed risk. Regular review of PrEP implementation, with a focus on client needs, will optimize use of this prevention approach.