Perceived HIV risk, PrEP knowledge, and substance use in HBCU students: Identifying risk profiles to innovate primary prevention

Objective: To classify HIV-risk profiles for HBCU students to inform primary prevention. Participants: 244 HBCU students participated in the study. Methods: Students completed a demographic questionnaire and instruments measuring attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs about PrEP, perceived HIV risk, and drug use. Data were analyzed quantitatively including latent profile analysis. Results: Four risk profiles emerged: profile 1 (30.33%)-lowest PrEP scores, below-average perceived risk, low drug use; profile 2 (42.21%)-lowest perceived risk and drug use, above-average PrEP scores; profile 3 (22.13%)-highest PrEP and perceived risk scores, low drug use; and profile 4 (5.33%)-highest drug use, above-average PrEP and perceived risk scores. Conclusion: Findings provide preliminary support for classifying HBCU students by HIV-risk profiles to guide primary prevention. Universal prevention may be well-suited for students in profiles 1 and 2. Further assessment may be needed to determine selective and targeted/indicated prevention interventions for students in profiles 3 and 4 respectively.