Biomedical, socio-behavioral, and implementation science gaps in multipurpose prevention technology research

James E Cummins Jr; C Leigh Allen; Sonia Lee; Theresa E Senn

doi:10.3389/frph.2023.1244659

Biomedical, socio-behavioral, and implementation science gaps in multipurpose prevention technology research

Front Reprod Health. 2023 Sep 1:5:1244659. doi: 10.3389/frph.2023.1244659. eCollection 2023.

Authors

James E Cummins Jr¹, C Leigh Allen², Sonia Lee³, Theresa E Senn⁴

Affiliations

¹ Preclinical Microbicide and Prevention Research Branch (PMPRB), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Rockville, MD, United States.
² Contraception Research Branch (CRB), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States.
³ Maternal and Pediatric Infectious Disease Branch (MPIDB), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States.
⁴ HIV Prevention and Care Continuum, Co-Morbidities, and Translational Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Rockville, MD, United States.

Abstract

There is strong global need for the development of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) that prevent HIV, pregnancy, and/or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, despite decades of research focused on the development of MPTs, numerous research gaps remain, contributing to reproductive health disparities. This commentary will highlight biomedical, socio-behavioral, and implementation science gaps in MPT research. Biomedical gaps and barriers include limited dosage forms, challenges around drug selection and stable coformulation of multiple drugs, and an unclear regulatory pathway. Behavioral, social, and structural gaps include lack of research around MPT preferences for some subgroups of potential end users, lack of knowledge around whether MPTs improve uptake, adherence, and persistence vs. separate products, and a need to further understand how social and cultural factors might impact MPT interest and use. Gaps in implementation science research will need to be addressed to better understand how to implement MPTs to maximize effectiveness and benefit. This commentary will also identify opportunities for integrating biomedical and behavioral science around MPTs.

Keywords: contraception; drug co-formulation; end-user preferences; implementation science; multipurpose prevention technology; regulatory affairs; sexually transmitted infections; socio-behavioral.