Embedding a Linkage to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Intervention in Social Network Strategy and Partner Notification Services: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Increased pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among Black men who have sex with men and Black transgender women (BMSM/TW) is needed to end the HIV epidemic. Embedding a brief intervention in network services that engage individuals in HIV transmission networks for HIV/STI testing may be an important strategy to accelerate PrEP uptake. Setting Partner Services PrEP (PS-PrEP) study is a pilot randomized control trial to improve linkage to PrEP care among BMSM/TW presenting for network services in Chicago, IL from 2015 to 2017. Methods BMSM/TW (N=146) aged 18-40 were recruited from network services (partners services and social network strategy services). Intervention participants developed an individualized linkage plan based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model and received mini-booster sessions. Control participants received treatment as usual. Socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical factors were examined at baseline, three- and 12-months post-intervention. Intent-to-treat analyses examined linkage to PrEP care within three months post-intervention (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes were PrEP initiation, time to linkage to PrEP care, and time to PrEP initiation. Results Compared to control participants, a significantly greater proportion of the intervention participants were linked to PrEP care within three months (24% vs. 11%; p=0.04) and initiated PrEP (24% vs. 11%, p=0.05). Among those linked to PrEP care within the study period, intervention participants were linked significantly sooner than control participants (median [interquartile range] days, 26.5 [6.0, 141.8] vs. 191.5 [21.5, 297.0]; p=0.05). Conclusion Study results support the preliminary efficacy of PS-PrEP to improve linkage to PrEP care and PrEP initiation among BMSM/TW.(word count/word limit = 248/250).