Characterizing Cis and Trans Women’s HIV Risk and Access to HIV Prophylaxis in Ontario, Canada

作者：Rafique Van Uum, Parsa Ebrahimpoor Masshadi, Faranak Canani, Chelsea Masterman, Grishma Hirode, Isaac I. Bogoch, Kayla Gaete, Karla Fisher, Yasaman Jalali, Sajeela Rana, Kody Muncaster, Mia J. Biondi · 发表于：The Open AIDS Journal · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.2174/0118746136387776250825202101 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions、Sex work and related issues、HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk

Introduction Despite the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and PEP-in-Pocket (PIP), HIV rates among women continue to increase in Canada, and comparator countries have shown lower use of PrEP among women compared to men, along with a lower PrEP-to-need ratio. This cross-sectional survey-based study aimed to characterize women’s assessment of their HIV risk, along with their awareness of, and access to medication-based HIV prophylaxis. Methods The 52-question survey was distributed at 15 community-based organizations in Southern Ontario, Canada, including shelters, addiction treatment and recovery centres, women’s drop-ins, and women’s programming from June 2023 to February 2024. Eligible participants were self-identified women who were prophylaxis-naïve and either sexually active and/or using drugs. Women who identified as HIV-positive were excluded. Results 318 participants were recruited and completed the survey. Self-reported knowledge on HIV transmission, risk, prevention, and testing was high, and women reported multiple ways to decrease risk. 56.6% reported HIV risk factors, including 51.3% who reported one or more sexual risk factors, and 31.1% who reported at least one drug use risk factor. However, of the 302 participants who provided a response regarding self-assessed HIV risk, 93.7% assessed their HIV risk as low or average. Importantly, 48.7% were not aware of PrEP or PEP; 73.3% were not aware of PIP; and 89.0% and 8...