Identifying Challenges and Opportunities for PrEP Uptake Among Women at Elevated HIV Risk in Georgia

In Georgia, preventing HIV infection among women at high risk poses significant challenges. Despite the availability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), the current system's requirement for women to visit specific AIDS centers creates a substantial barrier to access. This proposed study aims to build upon the parent grant's

goals to establish an HIV implementation center in the Caucus region by addressing the research gaps in women's preferences for PrEP delivery. The focus will be on partners of people who inject drugs, women who inject drugs, sex workers, and transgender women residing in Tbilisi and Batumi, with a total sample size of 540

women. The recruitment strategy will involve social workers from HIV prevention services, such as needle and syringe programs and methadone therapy centers, as well as peer workers from partner organizations. The study will employ a combination of focus groups (with 40 women) and computer-assisted personal interviewing

(with 500 women) using a choice-based conjoint approach. This methodology will explore key aspects of PrEP delivery that are most important to women, including location, eligibility screening, and adherence support. The insights gained from this study will be used to design a more women-friendly and accessible PrEP program. The

ultimate goal is to increase the involvement of women at elevated risk of HIV in PrEP, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of HIV prevention efforts in Georgia.