A Promising PrEP Navigation Intervention for Transgender Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men Experiencing Multiple Syndemic Health Disparities

Transgender women and MSM experience many stigma-related syndemic conditions that exacerbate HIV incidence and prevalence rates. While PrEP is an effective biomedical intervention to reduce HIV transmission, uptake and adherence of PrEP is low among transgender women and MSM experiencing multiple syndemic health disparities. This study tested the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of A.S.K.-PrEP (AssistanceServicesKnowledge-PrEP), a five-session peer navigator program, designed to link transgender women and MSM to PrEP. From September 2016 to March 2018, 187 participants (transgender women = 58; MSM = 129) enrolled. Results demonstrated that approximately 90% of transgender women and MSM were linked to PrEP; MSM linked more quickly [KW χ2(1) = 10.9, p < .001]. Most transgender women (80%) and MSM (70%) reported they were still taking PrEP at the 90-day follow-up evaluation. Findings indicated that A.S.K.-PrEP is a promising intervention for PrEP linkage, uptake and preliminary adherence among transgender women and MSM.