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. 2021 Jun;25(6):1856-1863.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-03115-6. Epub 2021 Jan 1.

Predictors of Willingness to Diffuse PrEP Information within Ego-Centric Networks of Women Who Inject Drugs

Marisa Felsher  1 , Emmanuel Koku  2 , Scarlett L Bellamy  3 , Marta I Mulawa  4 , Alexis M Roth  5
Affiliations

Predictors of Willingness to Diffuse PrEP Information within Ego-Centric Networks of Women Who Inject Drugs

Marisa Felsher et al. AIDS Behav. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Little is known about how social networks among women who inject drugs (WWID) can be leveraged to increase awareness about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We tested the hypothesis that interpersonal characteristics influence willingness of WWID to communicate PrEP information with peers. Forty WWID ≥ 18 years completed social network surveys. Participants named on average 9.3 (SD = 3.3) network members, resulting in 375 unique relationships. WWID were willing to share PrEP information with 83% of network members. Participants had higher odds of willingness to share information within relationships when the network member was female, homeless and perceived to be at risk for HIV. Among relationships with family members and transactional sex clients, stronger emotional closeness was associated with higher odds of willingness to share information. Peer interventions where WWID share PrEP information with peers may be an efficient approach to increase PrEP awareness among this vulnerable population.

Keywords: HIV prevention; Interpersonal communication; Peer support; Women who inject drugs.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Interaction of emotional closeness and relationship type
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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