HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and buprenorphine at a drug detoxification center during the opioid epidemic: opportunities and challenges

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and buprenorphine decrease HIV acquisition. Between November, 2016 - July, 2017, we surveyed persons (N=200) at a drug detoxification center to assess their interest in PrEP and in buprenorphine, and to examine factors associated with such interests. Participants had a mean [SD] age of 39 [10] years. Over the previous 6 months, 58% (117/200) injected drugs and 50% (85/171) had condomless sex. Only 22% (26/117) of persons who injected drugs were aware of PrEP, yet 74% (86/116) and 72% (84/116) were interested in oral or injectable PrEP, respectively. Thirty-eight percent (47/125) of persons not receiving buprenorphine or methadone expressed interest in buprenorphine. After multivariable adjustment, Latinx ethnicity was associated with interest in PrEP (aOR: 3.80; 95% CI, 1.37-10.53), while male gender (aOR: 2.76; 95% CI, 1.21-6.34) was associated with interest in buprenorphine. Opportunities exist to implement PrEP and buprenorphine within drug detoxification centers.R01 DA046527 - NIDA NIH HHS; R25DA035163, K23DA044085 - National Institute of Drug Abuse; R01DA046527, P30DA040500 - National Institute of Drug Abuse; P30 DA040500 - NIDA NIH HHS; R25 DA035163 - NIDA NIH HHS; K23 DA044085 - NIDA NIH HHS; P30 AI042853 - NIAID NIH HHS; P30AI042853 - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesAccepted manuscrip