UCLA

Background

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and effective in postpartum women. Human immunodeficiency virus self-testing (HIVST) for male partners combined with biofeedback counseling through real-time adherence measures may improve PrEP use among postpartum women.

Methods

Between August 2020 and April 2021, we randomized postpartum women who initiated PrEP in pregnancy 1:1 to the intervention group (HIVST + biofeedback counseling after urine tenofovir test) or to standard of care ([SOC] facility-based human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] tests and routine counseling without biofeedback). The outcomes of interest were PrEP adherence in the past 48-72 hours via urine tenofovir tests and partner HIV testing, measured 1-month after randomization. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of partners who tested for HIV and the discrepancy between self-reported PrEP adherence and urine tenofovir result.

Results

We enrolled 106 women (median age = 26 years). At enrollment, 72% of women reported missing <2 doses in the past 7 days; 36% of women had tenofovir present in her urine. One month after enrollment, 62% (n = 33) of women in the intervention arm had tenofovir present in their urine compared to 34% (n = 18) in SOC (risk ratio [RR] = 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-2.82; P = .001). Two thirds of women in the intervention arm reported that her partner tested for HIV (66%; n = 35), compared to 17% (n = 9) in SOC (RR = 3.89; 95% CI = 2.08-7.27; P < .001). Self-reported PrEP adherence (took PrEP >5 of last week) with no tenofovir in urine test was lower in the intervention group (17% vs 46%; RR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.17-0.67; P = .03). No social or clinical adverse events were reported in the intervention arm.

Conclusions

The HIVST for partners and biofeedback counseling increased levels of recent PrEP adherence, pointing to the importance of these interventions to support PrEP use in this population.