Multi-tablet, Single-Tablet, or Long-Acting Antiretroviral Treatment for HIV: A Cross-sectional Study of Patient Preferences in the United States and Spain

Abstract

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) underpins the successful treatment of HIV infection. New long-acting injectable ART agents have recently been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and Health Canada, among other regulatory agencies, but are not routinely given to people with HIV (PWH). In this cross-sectional survey study, PWH in the USA and Spain completed a survey exploring their preference regarding oral versus injectable ART. Chi-square tests were used to determine differences between variables and univariate and multivariate testing were used to examine factors associated with preference. The most preferred ART option in the USA was one ART tablet once a day (44.4%), whereas in Spain it was an intramuscular (IM) ART injection once every two months (61.9%). Among all participants, having received an HIV diagnosis more recently, less satisfaction with current ART, and having received an IM injection in the past were associated with a preference for IM ART. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and the convenient sample. Further research employing mixed methodology is warranted.