Background: There is limited understanding of the preferences and demand for long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) among Hispanic/Latino sexual minority men (HLSMM), a group with unwavering HIV incidence rates over the past 13 years. This study investigates how preferences for LAI-PrEP injection settings and providers cluster and how these preferences relate to willingness to use LAI-PrEP among HLSMM.

Methods: Data were obtained from a longitudinal observational cohort study of cisgender sexual minority men ages 18-45 who were in romantic or sexual relationships with other cisgender men and resided in the US Ending the HIV Epidemic priority jurisdictions. Secondary data analysis focused on baseline data of a subsample of 115 HLSMM, using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify how preferences for LAI-PrEP injection settings and providers group together. Hierarchical regression, adjusting for sociodemographic variables, assessed how these preference clusters relate to overall willingness to use LAI-PrEP.

Results: PCA identified two main factors: (1) a preference for LAI-PrEP in traditional medical settings with medical professionals, termed “Professional and Clinical” contexts, and (2) a preference for LAI-PrEP in non-traditional settings with paraprofessionals or nonprofessionals, termed “Non-Professional and Non-Clinical” contexts. Regression analysis indicated that a preference to receive LAI-PrEP by Non-Professional and Non-Clinical settings was associated with greater willingness to use LAI-PrEP, whereas preferences for Professional and Clinical settings did not show a significant association.

Conclusion: Offering LAI-PrEP in non-traditional settings may be crucial for improving uptake and retention among HLSMM. These findings highlight the importance of providing LAI-PrEP through diverse venues to better address the needs of HLSMM and enhance their access to HIV prevention.