# P-291. College PrEP: Impacts of Targeted Education on Awareness and Engagement in HIV Prevention Services Among Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)

## TL;DR

This study shows that targeted education sessions led by healthcare professionals improve HIV prevention awareness and testing engagement among adolescents and young adults.

## Contribution

The study identifies discrepancies between adolescent self-reported and provider-perceived barriers to HIV prevention and evaluates the impact of educational interventions.

## Key findings

- Student knowledge and confidence in HIV prevention significantly improved after the education sessions.
- Students prioritized at-home testing and confidentiality as facilitators for HIV/STI testing.
- Follow-up surveys showed increased HIV testing rates and provider consultations among students.

## Abstract

AYA make up 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses and have lower testing rates than adults. This project aimed to identify discordances between AYA-reported and provider-perceived barriers to HIV prevention and support engagement in prevention services among AYA in high school/college.Table 1.Demographics of Student Participants in Education Sessions (N = 346).Table 2.Demographics of HCP Participants in Education Sessions (N = 15).

Demographics of Student Participants in Education Sessions (N = 346).

Demographics of HCP Participants in Education Sessions (N = 15).

One-hour education sessions were led virtually or in-person by healthcare professionals and trainees (HCPs) with students at 7 universities and 1 high school in the Southeast US and California (2/2024 – 3/2025). Students and HCPs completed pre- and post-surveys at sessions. Follow-up surveys were sent out 90 days after sessions to assess long-term impacts. Data were analyzed using a Chi-square test.Figure 1.Student self-reported and HCP-perceived challenges to getting tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Figure 2.Student self-reported and HCP-perceived facilitators to HIV/STI testing.

Student self-reported and HCP-perceived challenges to getting tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Student self-reported and HCP-perceived facilitators to HIV/STI testing.

In total, 346 students and 15 HCPs attended sessions (Tables 1, 2). On pre-session surveys, only 23% of students had been HIV tested and 8% had discussed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with a provider. When asked what they perceived as students’ top barriers to HIV/STI testing, HCPs noted cost, fear of judgment in clinics, and finding testing sites. Students reported cost but also anxiety about test procedures/results and fear that others would find out they were tested (Fig 1). When asked what would make testing easier, both groups noted local low/no-cost testing, but students prioritized at-home testing and knowing what to expect during tests (Fig 2). Students said side effects (49%) and cost/insurance coverage (44%) were top barriers to taking PrEP. Student knowledge and confidence improved on post-session surveys vs pre-session: higher proportions reported high knowledge of PrEP options (64% vs 9%, p < .0001), agreed they were aware of campus resources for sexual health (95% vs 54%, p < .0001), and were likely to get tested for HIV (42% vs 18%, p < .0001). Of students responding to follow-up surveys (N = 113), 41% had been tested for HIV and 66% had spoken to an HCP about HIV prevention or made an appointment to since the session. HCPs responding to follow-up surveys (N = 10) had helped > 100 AYA get tested for HIV since sessions, and 90% were likely to lead another session.

These findings reveal differences in HCP-perceived and AYA-reported barriers/facilitators to HIV prevention, highlighting areas for improvement in patient counseling and the utility of HCP-led campus-based education to reach AYA.

All Authors: No reported disclosures