title: HIV risk and awareness and interest in pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis among sheltered women in Miami.
abstract: Pre- and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of HIV infection are recommended for adults at substantial risk of HIV. Women experiencing homelessness have increased risk of HIV infection compared with stably-housed women. We conducted a survey of 74 sheltered women at Lotus House Women's Shelter (Lotus House) in Miami to assess risk behaviour as well as knowledge and perception of pre- and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis in this population. Of surveyed women, 58.1% engaged in vaginal and/or anal sex while sheltered, and of sexually-active women 55.4% reported inconsistent condom use. 83.8% of women reported no concern regarding HIV acquisition due to their behaviour. Few women surveyed (20.8%) had previously heard of pre- or non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis. The majority (58.3%) of respondents indicated receptiveness to these prevention methods when introduced. Those indicating that they would consider pre- or non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis were significantly younger than those indicating that they would not consider these prevention strategies (p = 0.004). Education and referral for pre- and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis should be considered for sheltered women at risk of HIV infection. Additional research to optimise implementation of biomedical prevention strategies in this population is needed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA sdoblecki@med.miami.edu.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doblecki-Lewis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, MD/MPH Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, MD/MPH Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Bryanna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.affiliation: Lotus House Women's Shelter, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Lotus House Women's Shelter, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Rai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kobetz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005431:Florida; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D065129:Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior
keywords: HIV prevention; antiretrovirals; homelessness; post-exposure prophylaxis; pre-exposure prophylaxis; women