Trial results for a multi-component intervention designed to train providers to promote PrEP for girls and women in the Deep South were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-12-09. The study reported a mean feasibility score of 4.28 (Standard Deviation 0.42) and a mean acceptability score of 4.31 (Standard Deviation 0.53) among participants.
Background
HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs) continue to pose significant public health challenges, particularly in regions like the Deep South. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool for HIV prevention, but its uptake can be limited by various factors, including provider knowledge and comfort in discussing sexual health and prescribing PrEP. Training healthcare providers, especially those working with adolescent patients, is crucial for improving sexual history taking, promoting HIV/STI prevention, and increasing PrEP prescription rates, thereby addressing disparities in care and reducing new infections.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 46 participants. The trial focused on adapting an evidence-based curriculum on HIV epidemiology and PrEP prescription to train family medicine physician trainees. The goal was to enhance their ability to conduct thorough sexual histories and discuss HIV/STI prevention and PrEP options with adolescent patients in Alabama. The primary outcomes assessed were the feasibility and acceptability of the PrEP Pro training intervention.
Key results
The pilot test for the PrEP Pro training intervention yielded several key measurements:
- The Feasibility of Intervention Implementation among PrEP Pro participants (Pilot Test) was a mean of 4.28 (Standard Deviation 0.42) on a scale.
- The Acceptability among PrEP Pro participants (Pilot Test) was a mean of 4.31 (Standard Deviation 0.53) on a scale.
- For HIV Epidemiology Knowledge Assessment, 18.75 Percent of Participants were reported.
- Sexual History Taking Practices showed median scores of 2.5, 3.0, 3, and 2.7 on a scale.
- PrEP Knowledge, Willingness to Prescribe, and Prescribing Practices showed mean scores of 16, 26, and 6 on a scale.
- STI Screening Practices were reported for 90.63 Percent of Participants and 56.25 Percent of Participants.
What this means
The posted results indicate high feasibility and acceptability of the PrEP Pro training intervention among physician trainees. With mean scores above 4.0 for both feasibility and acceptability, the program appears well-received and practical for implementation. These findings suggest that such a multi-component training program can effectively equip healthcare providers with the necessary knowledge and skills to promote PrEP and improve HIV/STI prevention efforts. Enhanced provider education and confidence in discussing sexual health could lead to better patient outcomes, particularly for adolescent girls and women in underserved areas like the Deep South, by increasing PrEP uptake and comprehensive STI screening.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT06487390, titled "Multi-component Intervention to Train Providers to Promote PrEP for Girls and Women in the Deep South", were posted on 2025-12-09 on clinicaltrials.gov.