HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake and Retention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in a Community-Based Sexual Health Clinic

Abstract

In a community-based clinic serving men who have sex with men in San Francisco, California, this study characterized key steps of the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cascade and identified correlates of retention in care. In total, 344 patients were evaluated for PrEP. Three-fourths (78%) of those who sought PrEP services initiated PrEP. The overall cumulative incidence of discontinuing PrEP at 13 months was 38%. Men with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) were 44% less likely to be retained (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [0.33–0.95]). Comprehensive retention efforts for men with STIs are crucial to optimize the benefits of PrEP.