Evaluation of Lost to Follow-Up Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Patients in the West Central Health District
Abstract
Background: In 2022, the estimated number of new HIV infections in the US was 31,800, a rate of 11.3 infections per 100,000 people. By region, 49% of the new infections occurred in the South. In Georgia, there were 2,575 new HIV diagnosis in 2022, a rate of 23.6 infections per 100,000 people. In comparison, the rate for the West Central Health District (WCHD) was 19.0. There is a significant disparity in HIV incidences, especially in racial and ethnic minorities, and in men who have sex with men (MSM). Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV, so it is imperative to provide PrEP access to reduce HIV transmission.
In WCHD, PrEP has been available since 2019, yet the utilization rate remains low with approximately 60 patients initiating care. Therefore, lost to follow-up patients provide an opportunity to understand their experience with PrEP services. The study will aim to survey 32 inactive PrEP patients to learn patient care experience and what barriers could have impacted access to care.
Methods: To analyze factors contributing to lost to follow-up, the WCHD epidemiology team created a survey using SurveyMonkey. Inactive PrEP patients will be contacted to complete a phone survey between January to March 2025. Survey results will be descriptively analyzed.
Anticipated Results: Survey results will elucidate reasons for discontinuing PrEP services at WCHD and allow the district to understand how previous patients perceived care. This will provide opportunities for improvements to better serve the patients of the health district.
Conclusion: The survey results will allow us to understand underlying issues affecting PrEP care received at WCHD. Presenting the findings to the health district’s leadership team will illustrate the gaps and areas of improvement for the PrEP program.
Keywords
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, Access to Care, Health Equity
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Evaluation of Lost to Follow-Up Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Patients in the West Central Health District
Background: In 2022, the estimated number of new HIV infections in the US was 31,800, a rate of 11.3 infections per 100,000 people. By region, 49% of the new infections occurred in the South. In Georgia, there were 2,575 new HIV diagnosis in 2022, a rate of 23.6 infections per 100,000 people. In comparison, the rate for the West Central Health District (WCHD) was 19.0. There is a significant disparity in HIV incidences, especially in racial and ethnic minorities, and in men who have sex with men (MSM). Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV, so it is imperative to provide PrEP access to reduce HIV transmission.
In WCHD, PrEP has been available since 2019, yet the utilization rate remains low with approximately 60 patients initiating care. Therefore, lost to follow-up patients provide an opportunity to understand their experience with PrEP services. The study will aim to survey 32 inactive PrEP patients to learn patient care experience and what barriers could have impacted access to care.
Methods: To analyze factors contributing to lost to follow-up, the WCHD epidemiology team created a survey using SurveyMonkey. Inactive PrEP patients will be contacted to complete a phone survey between January to March 2025. Survey results will be descriptively analyzed.
Anticipated Results: Survey results will elucidate reasons for discontinuing PrEP services at WCHD and allow the district to understand how previous patients perceived care. This will provide opportunities for improvements to better serve the patients of the health district.
Conclusion: The survey results will allow us to understand underlying issues affecting PrEP care received at WCHD. Presenting the findings to the health district’s leadership team will illustrate the gaps and areas of improvement for the PrEP program.
