Assessment of Attitudes, Barriers, and Facilitators of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use Among Individuals Involved in the Criminal Legal System in the Southern U.S.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Assessment of Attitudes, Barriers, and Facilitators of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use Among Individuals Involved in the Criminal Legal System in the Southern U.S.
Authors:	Camp, Hannah (AUTHOR), Rocket, Maria (AUTHOR), Choi, Yujung (AUTHOR), Krajewski, Taylor (AUTHOR), Oser, Carrie (AUTHOR), Nowotny, Kathryn (AUTHOR), Brinkley-Rubinstein, Lauren (AUTHOR)
Source:	AIDS Education & Prevention. Jun2026, Vol. 38 Issue 3, p239-251. 13p.
Subjects:	HIV prevention, Health services accessibility, Patient compliance, Health literacy, Research funding, Criminals, Pre-exposure prophylaxis, Thematic analysis, Longitudinal method, Health behavior, Data analysis software
Geographic Terms:	United States
Abstract:	This qualitative study explores barriers to and facilitators of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among individuals involved in the criminal legal system (CLS) in the Southern U.S. Through in-depth interviews with 72 participants on probation or parole across Florida, Kentucky, and North Carolina, we identified five key themes: (1) depersonalization of HIV risk, where participants acknowledged PrEP's value but excluded themselves as candidates; (2) stigma, including internalized, interpersonal, and structural barriers; (3) financial and insurance constraints, exacerbated in non-Medicaid expansion states; (4) medical mistrust stemming from negative carceral health care experiences; and (5) the unexpected role of research participation as a primary source of PrEP education. Findings align with and extend existing literature on marginalized populations, highlighting the need for tailored interventions addressing systemic, institutional, and community-level barriers. This study underscores the urgency of centering lived experience and policy innovation to improve PrEP access for this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	This qualitative study explores barriers to and facilitators of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among individuals involved in the criminal legal system (CLS) in the Southern U.S. Through in-depth interviews with 72 participants on probation or parole across Florida, Kentucky, and North Carolina, we identified five key themes: (1) depersonalization of HIV risk, where participants acknowledged PrEP's value but excluded themselves as candidates; (2) stigma, including internalized, interpersonal, and structural barriers; (3) financial and insurance constraints, exacerbated in non-Medicaid expansion states; (4) medical mistrust stemming from negative carceral health care experiences; and (5) the unexpected role of research participation as a primary source of PrEP education. Findings align with and extend existing literature on marginalized populations, highlighting the need for tailored interventions addressing systemic, institutional, and community-level barriers. This study underscores the urgency of centering lived experience and policy innovation to improve PrEP access for this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	08999546
DOI:	10.1521/aeap.2026.38.3.239