HIV Prevention Practices of Exposed Seronegative Partners Following Partner Notification and Services in New York City From 2015 to 2018

Purpose To understand partners’ practices related to HIV transmission risk following HIV partner services (PS) since pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was made available. Design Quarterly interviews over one year following PS. Setting New York City (NYC). Participants HIV-negative sex partners of HIV-positive individuals aged 18 years or older notified of their HIV exposure through NYC PS program from 2015-2018. Measures At each interview, partners self-reported their number of sex partners, whether they were using condoms consistently, and PrEP uptake. Demographics were collected before the first follow-up interview. Analysis Chi-square goodness of fit tests, binary logistic regressions, two-sample t-tests, and one-way ANOVAs quantified relationships between demographics and outcomes. Generalized estimating equations quantified relationships between timepoint and outcomes. Results Partners’ practices remained unchanged after PS. No HIV seroconversions occurred but some partners acquired STIs. Using PrEP before study enrollment was positively correlated with later PrEP use. PrEP use was positively correlated with number of sex partners and negatively associated with condom use. Demographics predicted practices related to HIV transmission risk. Conclusion Given subsequent stability in partners’ practices, it is possible PS played a mitigating role—preventing further risks beyond baseline. While supporting behavioral change is difficult, it remains an important tool in the PS toolbox. Thus, PS must be integrated with warm hand-offs to services addressing critical needs. Integrated interventions and services will promote progress toward ending the HIV epidemic.