PrEPTools_v.01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
To evaluate uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis for people at risk of HIV following implementation of digital tools and long-acting PrEP agents.
IRAS ID
360310
Contact name
Victoria Tittle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 7 days
Research summary
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV. Yet, the UK experienced a 15% increase in new HIV diagnoses in 2023. Those who could benefit from PrEP remain unaware, face barriers to access, or discontinue use. Fewer than 40% of heterosexual men continue using PrEP after one year, and more than 30,000 people in the UK have unmet PrEP needs. These data reflect global trends and highlight the challenge in the UK’s target of reaching zero HIV transmissions by 2030. Therefore, improving PrEP provision is necessary to address these gaps in PrEP delivery and uptake.
This mixed-methods study explores whether digital health-system strengthening, and long-acting PrEP medications could be effective strategies in facilitating PrEP provision in three work streams:
Work stream (WS1): Reviews the acceptability of digital tools and long-acting PrEP agents, and whether these approaches could overcome access barriers, through semi-structured interviews with those who would benefit from PrEP (either are taking PrEP or not taking PrEP), those who have not attended sexual health services, or people diagnosed with HIV, since PrEP has been available on the NHS.
WS2: Aims to develop a metrics framework, with PrEP data definitions to support health systems in delivering PrEP, from two workshops with experts and stakeholders. The framework will guide the development of a real-time data dashboard, called “PrEPBoard,” for a London-based sexual health service.
WS3: Aims to review unmet PrEP needs, through quantitative analysis, using extracted datasets from PrEPBoard and explore the following:
• Evaluate if PrEPBox, an online PrEP service at 56 Dean Street, can facilitate PrEP persistence.
• Explore associations of PrEP uptake and persistence.
• Explore HIV outcomes and PrEP use, and to understand how to best utilise long-acting PrEP agents.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0059
Date of REC Opinion
3 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion