The Postexposure Prophylaxis Packs for Immediate Access to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention program aims to support the implementation and evaluation of effective strategies for incorporating a postexposure prophylaxis-in-pocket (PiP) approach into existing preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services.
Donor Name: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/19/2025
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 4 Years
Details:
This effort aims to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among disproportionately affected populations, for example, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW).
In this study, optimal strategies will be assessed for a postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in pocket (PiP) approach for prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among disproportionately affected populations, for example, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW).
The PiP approach is designed to enhance access to nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for HIV prevention. nPEP is a critical intervention for use after a potential HIV exposure but is often underused due to challenges in accessing timely healthcare. PiP addresses this issue by providing individuals with a supply of nPEP medication and related resources, enabling immediate prevention following a potential HIV exposure.
Objectives
The primary goal of this implementation research study is a decreased time to nPEP initiation for participants with a possible HIV exposure. An additional goal of this study is a decreased time to DoxyPEP initiation for participants with a possible STI exposure. The secondary goal is the clinical impact of the study including fewer HIV and STI diagnoses among participants. The implementation strategy should be assessed using a framework such as the RE-AIM. Whenever possible, applications should be written with SMART objectives (i.e., Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound).
The applicants should address the following objectives:
- Objective 1. Reduce the proportion of persons with an HIV or STI diagnosis after a known or potential sexual exposure.
- Objective 2: Understand the use of HIV and STI clinical services provided to persons.
- Objective 3: Measure HIV and STI positivity among persons.
- Objective 4: Compare patterns of PEP, PrEP, and DoxyPEP use over the study period among a cohort of persons.
- Objective 5: Assess the implementation strategy for PEP packs, including acceptability and feasibility, among PEP users and providers.
- Objective 6. Assess the acceptability and feasibility of HIV and STI self-testing among providers and PEP users
- Objective 7: Assess the performance of HIV and STI self-tests.
The research outcomes are as follows:
- Outcome 1. Increased number of PrEP users provided PiP medications.
- Outcome 2. Increased proportion of persons who initiate nPEP within 72 hours after a known or potential exposure to HIV.
- Outcome 3. Decreased time to nPEP initiation as measured by hours after a known or HIV exposure.
- Outcome 4. Increased proportion of persons who complete a full course of nPEP.
- Outcome 5. Increased proportion of persons who initiate DoxyPEP within 24 hours of a known or potential exposure to an STI.
- Outcome 6. Decreased time to DoxyPEP initiation as measured by hours from a known or potential STI exposure.
- Outcome 7: Decreased number of persons diagnosed with HIV.
- Outcome 8: Decreased number of persons diagnosed with a syphilis, chlamydia, or gonococcal infection.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,800,000
- Award Ceiling: $1,200,000
- Award Floor: $900,000
Grant Period
4 years.
Population of Focus
The population of focus for this study are Black and Hispanic MSM and TGW in communities with high rates of HIV diagnoses. For this study, TGW are persons who were assigned male sex at birth but whose current gender is female. Barriers to timely healthcare access disproportionally affect populations of Black and Hispanic MSM and TGW persons. PEP pack implementation strategies will be tailored to the needs of disproportionately affected populations and the efficacy of these strategies for the population of focus will be evaluated.
Eligibility Criteria
- State governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- County governments
- Special district governments
- City or township governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
