title: Acceptability of Three Novel HIV Prevention Methods Among Young Male and Transgender Female Sex Workers in Puerto Rico.
abstract: Sex workers need HIV-prevention methods they can control and incorporate easily in their work. We studied the acceptability of three methods: HIV self-test use with clients, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and rectal microbicide gel. Four male and eight transgender female (TGF) sex workers in Puerto Rico completed a baseline survey with a quantitative measure of likelihood of use. From them, one male and four TGF also completed a 12-week study of rectal microbicide placebo gel use prior to receptive anal intercourse with male clients and evaluated via qualitative in-depth interviews and follow-up quantitative assessments how each method could be incorporated into their work. Most were interested in a rectal microbicide gel and able to use it covertly with clients. Challenges to using the HIV self-test with clients included the potential for both breach of confidentiality and confronting violent situations. Participants also expressed interest in oral PrEP, but raised concerns about side effects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA. giguere@nyspi.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giguere
authors.affiliation: Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.affiliation: Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dolezal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gama Project, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA.
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Febo
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ross D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Cranston
authors.affiliation: Fenway Health, Fenway Institute, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carballo-Diéguez
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D054327:Lubricants; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D065129:Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D011647:Puerto Rico; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012007:Rectum; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D060386:Sex Workers; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D054327:Lubricants
keywords: HIV prevention; HIV self-test; PrEP; Rectal microbicide; Sex workers