Knowledge and attitudes about HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and a pharmacist-led PrEP clinic of patrons at an Urban community health center

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this project are to: (1) identify indications for HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among clinic patrons based on self-reported risk factors, (2) assess patrons' knowledge of HIV PrEP, and (3) determine attitudes toward a pharmacist-run HIV PrEP clinic. Methods: This is a prospective study. Individuals must be aged 18 years or older and receive medical, supportive, or preventative services through the Kansas City CARE Clinic to participate. The Kansas City CARE Clinic is a charitable interdisciplinary community health center providing care and education to underserved patients within the Kansas City community. A survey will be developed to assess knowledge and attitudes of PrEP and of a pharmacist-run PrEP clinic. HIV risk assessment tools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will be incorporated to identify indications for PrEP. Surveys will be distributed to patrons November 2014 through February 2015. Descriptive statistics will be used to report the outcomes. Results: Research in progress. The development of biomedical interventions such as HIV PrEP to help reduce the spread of HIV offers a unique opportunity for pharmacists to become directly engaged in public health through HIV prevention efforts. However, there is currently no information available assessing patients' perception of pharmacists providing PrEP services or assessing the need for these services in the Kansas City area. It is anticipated that this study will demonstrate the need for PrEP within the community served by this clinic and a potential expansion in the services clinical pharmacists can provide.