Longer-acting preexposure prophylaxis product and delivery preferences among U.S. populations disproportionately affected by HIV: a discrete choice experiment

AIDS. 2025 Aug 1;39(10):1364-1374. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000004247. Epub 2025 May 23.

Abstract

Objective: Longer-acting preexposure prophylaxis (LA-PrEP) products have potential to increase PrEP uptake and continuation. This study sought to elicit preferences for LA-PrEP product and delivery program characteristics among populations disproportionately impacted by HIV to identify factors important to adoption and anticipate potential use challenges.

Design: Cross-sectional, online discrete choice experiment.

Methods: We recruited 940 men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), and Black heterosexual men and women (BHMW) with PrEP indications. In a series of 10 tasks, participants chose between two hypothetical LA-PrEP options composed of 5 attributes (product type, side effects, clinic type, appointment duration, cost), or neither (their current HIV prevention method). Analysis used random-parameters logit models.

Results: Respondents chose an LA-PrEP method over their current HIV prevention option in 96.8% of tasks. Cost was the most important determinant of LA-PrEP choice for all populations (relative importance [RI] of 10]. Side effects and product type were 1/3 to 1/2 as important as cost (RI 3.5-5.1). MSM and PWID most preferred the 12-month implant followed by semiannual dual injections and least preferred the monthly oral pill and 2-month single injection. BHMW most preferred the monthly pill and semiannual injections and least preferred the 12-month implant and 2-month injection. Clinic type and appointment duration had minimal influence (RI 0.1-2.1).

Conclusions: Results suggest high demand for LA-PrEP among populations with disproportionately high HIV incidence. To facilitate use, programs should offer a range of LA-PrEP products, minimize out-of-pocket costs, and counsel on side effects.

Keywords: HIV prevention; black heterosexual men and women; discrete choice experiment; longer-acting preexposure prophylaxis; men who have sex with men; people who inject drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Chemoprevention* / methods
  • Choice Behavior
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Preference*
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis* / methods
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents