A Multicomponent Approach to Evaluating a Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Implementation Program in Five Agencies in New York

Research has shown that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective for preventing HIV infection. We developed the Targeted PrEP Implementation Program (TPIP), an 18-month project that involved five statewide agencies, to assess the extent to which PrEP could be implemented in “real world” clinical settings. The target population was men who have sex with men at high risk for HIV infection. Data were collected from a variety of sources. Implementing PrEP statewide required facilitating provider capacity, developing resources, and identifying/addressing potential barriers. TPIP focused on three key questions: (a) Can providers identify and retain appropriate candidates for PrEP? (b) Can PrEP participants adhere to daily medication? (c) Can PrEP be delivered as part of a comprehensive/integrated plan? There were 171 participating clients, most of whom successfully incorporated PrEP into their daily routines. After addressing initial barriers, we found that PrEP could be routinely delivered as part of a comprehensive prevention plan.