ESTUDO DESCRITIVO E COMPORTAMENTAL DOS USUÁRIOS DE PREP EM CAMPO GRANDE, MS.

Abstract

Since the identification of the initial cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection worldwide, the HIV infection epidemic has consistently posed a substantial challenge to public health. It is estimated that the number of new HIV cases continues to rise in Brazil and around the world, disproportionately affecting certain key population groups. Beginning in 2012, as part of a comprehensive array of pharmacological prevention approaches utilizing antiretrovirals for individuals at higher risk of HIV infection, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) emerged to prevent new HIV infections. Given the established link between PrEP's effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission and its adherence, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological aspects and identify access barriers among PrEP users receiving services at the Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) in Campo Grande, MS. This entailed a cross-sectional study conducted between January 2021 and April 2022, encompassing 140 PrEP users attended to within this unit of the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). Data regarding sociodemographic characteristics and factors linked to PrEP discontinuation were procured via individual interviews utilizing a standardized questionnaire. The majority of PrEP users were cisgender men (92,0%), predominantly white (51,0%), aged over 30 (56.5%), of homosexual orientation (76,0%), and had at least 12 years of education (77,5%). About 60,0% admitted to inconsistent condom use in recent sexual encounters, primarily of an anal nature. Approximately 88,0% perceived themselves to be at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the upcoming year. In terms of new presentation forms, 46,0% expressed a willingness to use "on-demand PrEP," and 92,00% demonstrated an interest in "injectable PrEP." After six months of follow-up, 43.6% (95,0% CI: 35,5-52,0) discontinued PrEP usage, primarily due to changes in sexual behavior (38.3%) and difficulties in accessing healthcare services (21.3%). The study underscores the imperative of including diverse key populations and underscores PrEP's role as an ongoing monitoring strategy for HIV/STI prevention, in addition to highlighting the significance of incorporating new formulations, such as a daily oral PrEP option, into the SUS.