An Intervention to Improve HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Initiation, Adherence and Linkage to Care for Recently Incarcerated Men Who Inject Drugs.

An Intervention to Improve HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Initiation, Adherence and Linkage to Care for Recently Incarcerated Men Who Inject Drugs.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) yet studies suggest that its use is low among this population which is particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. The criminal justice (CJ) system, at the intersection of increased risk of HIV infection and substance use, presents a unique opportunity to engage PWID in HIV prevention care that incudes PrEP. The study will characterize the facilitators and barriers to PrEP initiation, adherence and linkage to care among male PWID that are experiencing incarceration and develop the "PrEPare-for-Release" intervention to promote PrEP initiation, adherence and linkage to care upon release from incarceration into the community.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 18 years of age
• Incarcerated at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections
• Identifies as male
• Reports a history of injection drug use
• Meets CDC clinical criteria for PrEP use
• Able to provide written and verbal consent in either English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide written and/or verbal consent