{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,21]],"date-time":"2026-06-21T14:40:01Z","timestamp":1782052801035,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":29,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,17]],"date-time":"2024-10-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1729123200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":16,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Health Expectations"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>HIV Pre\u2010Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has been available in Wales since 2017. The coronavirus disease (COVID\u201019) pandemic impacted UK sexual health services, leading to a reduction in service provision. There is a lack of research on the experiences of PrEP users during this time.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title><jats:p>We aimed to explore the experiences of PrEP users in Wales following the introduction of COVID\u201019 pandemic measures.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>We conducted a secondary data analysis of two prior interview studies (DO\u2010PrEP and UPrEP). Data collection was undertaken between May 2020 and February 2021 using remote interviewing. Semi\u2010structured interviews were conducted. Participants were \u226518 years of age, residents of Wales, current or previous PrEP users, and men who have sex with men (MSM). Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>A total of 32 interviews were included in the analysis. Themes include the following: (1) PrEP use during COVID\u201019, (2) sexual behaviour and relationship changes following COVID\u201019 restrictions, (3) NHS service provision during the COVID\u201019 pandemic, and (4) wider contextual effects of the pandemic. Participants reported a change in PrEP use (pausing or switching to event\u2010based PrEP). Participants reported reduced access to clinics and appointments. Support for changing to event\u2010based PrEP was varied. Social isolation resulted in varied responses to lockdown rules, especially in later lockdowns.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>This study provides patient perspectives on the challenges the COVID\u201019 pandemic posed to PrEP use and access. It offers insights into the broader support needs around PrEP use when an individual's circumstances change. Flexible models of PrEP provision, which can be adapted to the patient's needs, will be essential as PrEP delivery extends into the wider community.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Patient and Public Contribution<\/jats:title><jats:p>Both the DO\u2010PrEP and UPrEP studies received input from various stakeholders in the design of the topic guides for the study; these included public lay members, PrEP users, PrEP providers, and individuals involved with HIV advocacy and policy.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/hex.70064","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,17]],"date-time":"2024-10-17T07:25:58Z","timestamp":1729149958000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["HIV Pre\u2010Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Users' Experiences of PrEP Access, Sexual Behaviour, and Well\u2010Being During the COVID\u201019 Pandemic: A Welsh Qualitative Study"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"27","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-3672-9956","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zahraa","family":"Khammas","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Cardiff University School of Medicine Cardiff University Cardiff UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6934-2928","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"David","family":"Gillespie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Trials Research Cardiff University Cardiff"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4825-8997","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adam Dale Newman","family":"Williams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Trials Research Cardiff University Cardiff"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0933-8377","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jane","family":"Nicholls","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Trials Research Cardiff University Cardiff"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7397-4074","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fiona","family":"Wood","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Population Medicine, PRIME Centre Wales Cardiff University Cardiff UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_11_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2019.2591"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_3_1","volume-title":"Guidance on Oral Pre\u2010Exposure Prophylaxis (\u200ePrEP)\u200e for Serodiscordant Couples, Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men at High Risk of HIV: Recommendations for Use in the Context of Demonstration Projects, July 2012","author":"World Health Organisation","year":"2012"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_4_1","volume-title":"Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach","author":"World Health Organisation","year":"2016"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_5_1","unstructured":"\u201cCOVID\u201019 Resources \u201d British Association of Sexual Health and HIV 2021 https:\/\/members.bashh.org\/Covid-19."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_6_1","unstructured":"A.Shah N.Mackay R.Ratna et al. HIV Testing PrEP New HIV Diagnoses and Care Outcomes for People Accessing HIV Services: 2023 Report The Annual Official Statistics Data Release (Data to the End of December 2022) (London UK: GOV.UK 2023)."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_7_1","unstructured":"A.Shah N.McKay R.Ratna et al. New HIV Diagnoses AIDS Deaths and People in Care by Country and Region Data Tables (London UK: GOV.UK 2023)."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_8_1","unstructured":"Public Health Wales.Trends in the Prevention Diagnosis and Treatment of Blood Borne Viruses in Wales: Hepatitis B Hepatitis C and HIV Annual Report 2024 (Data to End 2023) (London UK: GOV.UK 2024) https:\/\/phw.nhs.wales\/publications\/publications1\/trends-in-the-prevention-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-blood-borne-viruses-in-wales-hepatitis-b-hepatitis-c-and-hiv\/."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_9_1","unstructured":"\u201cWrittenStatement: Availability of Pre\u2010Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to Prevent HIV \u201d Minister for Health and Social Services Welsh Government June 30 2020 https:\/\/www.gov.wales\/written-statement-availability-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep-prevent-hiv."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_10_1","unstructured":"\u201cWales STI Testing Kit. Test and Post \u201d Public Health Wales October 3 2023 https:\/\/www.shwales.online\/wales-sti-testing-kit-test-and-post.html."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10461-022-03618-4"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-022-12821-w"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/sextrans-2020-054768"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10461-022-03941-w"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/hex.13446"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-022-14645-0"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10461-022-03890-4"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/2159676X.2019.1628806"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_19_1","unstructured":"\u201dPeople First Charter HIV Language\u2014Recommended Terminology \u201d People First Charter October 3 2023 https:\/\/peoplefirstcharter.org\/recommended-terminology."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/sextrans-2020-054756"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jia2.26060"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10461-020-02894-2"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1521\/aeap.2022.34.6.441"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1521\/aeap.2023.35.4.255"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/hiv.13374"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsxm.2020.07.085"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/26410397.2022.2144087"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/00918369.2020.1868191"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/19419899.2022.2112745"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_30_1","volume-title":"HIV Action Plan for Wales 2023 to 2026","author":"Welsh Government","year":"2023"}],"container-title":["Health Expectations"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/hex.70064","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T18:39:41Z","timestamp":1730140781000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/hex.70064"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,10]]},"references-count":29,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1111\/hex.70064"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/hex.70064","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1369-6513","1369-7625"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1369-6513","type":"print"},{"value":"1369-7625","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,10]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-06-06","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2024-09-25","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2024-10-17","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70064"}}