P43.07
Background: As the US FDA considered the approval of the use of Truvada as PrEP, women in the US organized to address the need for greater community engagement in the implementation science informing the introduction of the intervention in clinics, community health centers and private care.Through an ad hoc coalition, US women's communities advocating for safe HIV prevention options for women, including PrEP, convened a strategic working group dedicated to providing input, community-based qualitative research, and innovative strategies research to determine how to help women and their healthcare providers make PrEP a viable option.
Methods: Community engagement in research includes activities beyond the involvement of volunteers in trials, community advisory boards and local partnerships with service organizations.Our methodology included a diversity of initiatives including: informational webinars/community symposia, key informant interviews, qualitative study with focus groups and surveys; implementation advocacy; engaging federal partners.
Results: The work resulted in the following: convened 3 national/international webinars for a total of 850 participants; captured qualitative data on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of 85 women at high risk for transmission; published several articles/op-eds in newsprint; presented papers, posters and workshops at national and international meetings; and sustains a working group of nearly 80 interested parties/organizations.
Conclusions: The implementation of research, such as PrEP, requires meaningful involvement and representation from the community most affected by the research outcomes.In the US, and key countries where PrEP is a priority, women's education, understanding and acceptance of PrEP is an important step to its use as a prevention option.The community mobilization of women's health/HIV advocates, clinical and behavioral/social scientists & WLwH is a key component of engaging community in research of a product before and after it has been approved.
