Left in the Dark: Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Awareness and HIV/AIDS Healthcare Provider Conversations among Hispanic Women

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective tool for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention, but awareness among Hispanic women remains low. The current study evaluated sociodemographic and behavioral predictors of PrEP awareness and HIV/AIDS healthcare provider (HCP) conversations among Hispanic women. Limited knowledge and a lack of HCP conversations about PrEP and HIV/AIDS continue to delay their access to PrEP. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 986 Hispanic women aged 18-49 using data from the 2022–2023 National Survey of Family Growth who provided valid responses to the PrEP awareness, HIV/AIDS HCP conversation items, and indicated an income response. Weighted descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models examined the associations between sociodemographic factors, sexual behaviors, PrEP awareness, and HIV/AIDS-related HCP conversations. Findings reveal that Hispanic women with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree had 2.65 times the odds of PrEP awareness compared with those with less than a high school education (95% CI = 1.12, 6.32), and those with a graduate degree had 3.81 times the odds (95% CI = 1.97, 7.36). Each additional year of age was associated with 1.03 times the odds of having an HIV/AIDS healthcare provider conversation (95% CI = 1.01, 1.04). Women who reported oral sex with another woman had 2.12 times the odds of having such a conversation (95% CI = 1.17, 3.86). To enhance PrEP awareness among Hispanic women, targeted education and outreach efforts are essential to overcoming cultural stigma and provider biases. Policy Implications: To reduce disparities in PrEP uptake, healthcare systems should implement culturally tailored education strategies, expand bilingual resources, and encourage HCPs to initiate PrEP discussions during routine care. Such interventions are critical for advancing equity in HIV prevention and achieving the national goal of reducing new HIV infections.