Initial Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Messaging Source Influences Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among Older Adults: A Quantitative Survey of Older Adults in Columbus, Ohio

Older adults account for one in every five new HIV infections in the United States yet are often overlooked in tailored pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) messaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the original PrEP messaging source and its influence on PrEP use among a cohort of older adults. The Columbus Health Aging Project data (N = 794) were used to examine the initial PrEP information source and PrEP use in the past 6 months, adjusting for demographics and sexually transmitted infection (STI) status. Forty-six percent reported an STI, and 11.5% used PrEP. The main sources of PrEP information were peers (42.2%) and health care providers (40.2%); media (17.6%) sources were less common. Compared with those who received PrEP information from their health care provider, those informed by peers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.99) or media (aOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.07-0.42) were less likely to use PrEP. Adjusting for STI-, media-informed remained less likely to have used PrEP compared with those informed by providers (aOR = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.55-2.35). These findings highlight the importance of tailored PrEP messaging for older adults for Ending the HIV Epidemic efforts. Media appears less impactful as a messaging approach for older adults.