Expanding PrEP By Embedding Unannounced SNAPS Navigators in High STI Testing Clinical Sites

The objective of the investigator's proposal is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to (1) increase PrEP initiation overall, (2) increase uptake among groups disproportionately impacted by the HIV pandemic, and (3) to preserve high PrEP retention while expanding use. In addition, the proposal includes innovative secondary outcomes of (4) identifying barriers and facilitators of PrEP use that may be unique to urban safety-net populations, and (5) estimating the HIV infections averted due to greater PrEP uptake from the intervention.

The intervention is multi-level yet, targets the "weakest chains in the link" of PrEP initiation at safety-net hospitals designed for scalability, sustainability, and implementability across a wide range of settings. It consists of Surveillance by STI testing, Navigation by unannounced patient navigators to the Sexual Health Clinic (SHC), Accelerated follow-up with providers with PrEP expertise, Point-of-care PrEP counseling and laboratory testing, and Seamless, consistent, longitudinal, comprehensive care (SNAPS).

Inclusion criteria

Historical comparison group:

• all adults ≥18 years of age prescribed PrEP at H+H/Bellevue one year prior to SNAPS intervention initiation.

Prospective group:

• all patients will be considered for study participation who are accessing care at H+H/Bellevue ≥ 18 years of age,
• have unknown HIV status,
• requesting STI testing/treatment or inquiring about PrEP or PEP in the ED or urgent care, OB/GYN, and Dermatology clinics.

Exclusion criteria

• patients who are HIV positive
• refuse consent