UC Irvine

Background: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Agender community (LGBTQIA), and in particular, Men who has sex with Men (MSM), continue to be at the hub of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has been FDA approved since 2012 and has been shown to be efficacious by nearly 99% at preventing new HIV infections via sexual transmission route, and 74%-84% in injection drug use transmission route, yet much ambiguity of prescribing continues prevent eligible individuals from therapy (CDC, 2021). The ambiguity coincides with a lack of assessment, comfort level of risk-assessment and barriers to communication amongst non-HIV providers. Thus, interventions to expand education to providers use of PrEP therapy to protect and preserve life strategically is needed.Objectives: This project aimed at developing an intervention to improve primary care providers knowledge and comfort in screening “at-risk” patients using a systematic, evidence-based approach that can be applied in a comprehensive manner to ensure an all-inclusive approach. Methodology: An online educational session was implemented at the monthly provider meeting at the University of California Irvine Student Health Center (SHC). There were two phases: the pre-survey and post-survey phase. A paired t-test was performed to measure efficacy. Results: A percent of change test revealed all positive changes, with an average increase of 15% from pre to post intervention surveys. A one-tailed paired samples t-test yielded a p value of <0.000. While the sample size is too small for generalization, this reflects the trend toward positive knowledge gain. Conclusion: Increasing provider knowledge in sexual health history taking amongst the LGBTQIA community, using an all-inclusive evidence-based strategy, can improve providers risk-stratification and adoption of PrEP therapy within their current practices.