PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to Access

Background: Although tremendous strides have been made in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention, detection, and treatment, HIV remains a public health issue in the United States. Sexual and gender diverse individuals and the 18-24 age group are considered vulnerable populations at risk for c...

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Main Authors: Brittany L. Feeling, Stella I. Sheke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Ohio State University Libraries 2023-06-01
Series:Building Healthy Academic Communities Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://library.osu.edu/ojs/index.php/BHAC/article/view/9344
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author Brittany L. Feeling
Stella I. Sheke
author_facet Brittany L. Feeling
Stella I. Sheke
author_sort Brittany L. Feeling
collection DOAJ
description Background: Although tremendous strides have been made in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention, detection, and treatment, HIV remains a public health issue in the United States. Sexual and gender diverse individuals and the 18-24 age group are considered vulnerable populations at risk for contracting the virus. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that has proven effective in reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Aim: This article aims to justify the necessity of PrEP medication on college campuses, especially for gender and sexual diverse students.   Methods: This article provides information on the state of PrEP education, availability, and access on college campuses in the United States. This article also addresses barriers that college students face with accessing PrEP medication through college health services. Results: Limited research has found that most colleges in the United States lack PrEP availability for college students. Other factors, including insurance, privacy concerns, and stigma, may deter students from seeking and taking PrEP medication.  Conclusions: This article supports widespread PrEP availability and access on college campuses and acknowledges the need to address barriers that keep students from utilizing PrEP.
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spelling doaj.art-79719aa978964e5f8938df0d1623df402023-06-20T14:51:16ZengThe Ohio State University LibrariesBuilding Healthy Academic Communities Journal2573-76432023-06-0171172210.18061/bhac.v7i1.93448522PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to AccessBrittany L. Feeling0Stella I. Sheke1Equitas Health InstituteEquitas Health InstituteBackground: Although tremendous strides have been made in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention, detection, and treatment, HIV remains a public health issue in the United States. Sexual and gender diverse individuals and the 18-24 age group are considered vulnerable populations at risk for contracting the virus. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that has proven effective in reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Aim: This article aims to justify the necessity of PrEP medication on college campuses, especially for gender and sexual diverse students.   Methods: This article provides information on the state of PrEP education, availability, and access on college campuses in the United States. This article also addresses barriers that college students face with accessing PrEP medication through college health services. Results: Limited research has found that most colleges in the United States lack PrEP availability for college students. Other factors, including insurance, privacy concerns, and stigma, may deter students from seeking and taking PrEP medication.  Conclusions: This article supports widespread PrEP availability and access on college campuses and acknowledges the need to address barriers that keep students from utilizing PrEP.https://library.osu.edu/ojs/index.php/BHAC/article/view/9344prephiv preventioncollege studentslgbtq student health
spellingShingle Brittany L. Feeling
Stella I. Sheke
PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to Access
Building Healthy Academic Communities Journal
prep
hiv prevention
college students
lgbtq
student health
title PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to Access
title_full PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to Access
title_fullStr PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to Access
title_full_unstemmed PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to Access
title_short PrEP Access as HIV Prevention for LGBTQ+ College Students: An Exploration of Current Barriers to Access
title_sort prep access as hiv prevention for lgbtq college students an exploration of current barriers to access
topic prep
hiv prevention
college students
lgbtq
student health
url https://library.osu.edu/ojs/index.php/BHAC/article/view/9344
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