Disparities in United States Nationwide County-Level PrEP Rate and PrEP to Need Ratio During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic created numerous barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) access in the United States (US). The present study aimed to understand changes in county-level PrEP use relative to the need for PrEP during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for racial minorities.

Method

Public county-level data from 2019 to 2022 were used. Linear mixed models with multiple imputations and adjusting for covariates were used to examine changes in PrEP rate and PrEP to need ratio (PNR) across time. We also assessed PNR and PrEP rate across time allowing for race and time interactions. Finally, we examined PNR and PrEP rate among age groups over time.

Results

There was no difference in PrEP prevalence between 2019 and 2020 (p > 0.05). However, compared to 20

SUBMITTER: Miller SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12917910 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature