Elizabeth Schieber

Area of research

General Health Professions · Speech and Hearing

Research interest

Research topics from publications: Barriers and facilitators to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand: a qualitative study; Adapting Effective mHealth Interventions to Improve Uptake and Adherence to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Thai Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial; Implementing a school-based HIV prevention program during public health emergencies: lessons learned in The Bahamas; Maintaining Program Fidelity in a Changing World: National Implementation of a School-Based HIV Prevention Program; Effects of Teacher Training and Continued Support on the Delivery of an Evidence-Based HIV Prevention Program: Findings From a National Implementation Study in the Bahamas. Representative work: Young MSM (YMSM), aged 15-24, account for nearly half of new HIV infections in Thailand. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention medicine for populations at substantial HIV risk, yet YMSM frequently have suboptimal uptake of and adherence to PrEP. We conducted 35 in-depth interviews with YMSM to explore barriers and facilitators of both PrEP initiation and adherence. Interviews also elicited the perceptions and experiences of healthcare providers (HCPs) working with YMSM at three clinics in Bangkok. Primary barriers to PrEP initiation were limited accessibility, insufficient knowledge, and efficacy concerns; HCPs identified no-to-low self-perception of HIV risk, pre-existi BACKGROUND: Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are the fastest-growing HIV-positive population worldwide. Thailand has the highest adult HIV seroprevalence in Asia; over 25% of men having sex with men in Bangkok are HIV positive. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an efficacious HIV prevention strategy recommended for all at-risk individuals. PrEP is highly effective when taken as prescribed, but PrEP utilization rate has been low, and adherence is often inadequate. OBJECTIVE: We propose to develop and pilot a multicomponent, technology-based intervention to promote motivation to begin PrEP ("uptake") and sustained adherence to PrEP among HIV-negative Thai YMSM. We will adapt an existing