Perspectives of Black women in the United States on salon-based intervention to promote the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV

Aims and objectives To understand Black women's perspectives on a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) education intervention in a salon setting. Background Black women have a significant lifetime risk of acquiring HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention approach in reducing that risk. Despite this, Black women are least likely to use PrEP. Design This was a qualitative study to identify Black women's perspectives on acceptability of a PrEP education intervention in a salon setting using hair stylists. The paper adhered to the COREQ checklist in reporting. Methods Seven focus groups among Black women (n = 44) living in north-central North Carolina were conducted. Ethical approval was obtained. The interview guide included questions on knowledge of PrEP and barriers and facilitators to a PrEP promotion programme in a salon setting. Results Conventional content analysis considered content in relation to themes of facilitators, barriers and women's preferences for intervention delivery. Facilitators included the salon characteristics, social culture and relationship with the stylist. Women noted concerns of accuracy of content from stylists and privacy as barriers. Conclusions Participants' trust with their stylists make a PrEP education salon-based intervention feasible. Salon-based interventions are not one-size-fits-all and researchers interested in this setting should tailor interventions to the individual salon. Interventions for PrEP in a salon setting should be culturally appropriate, confidential and consider the potential reach to the social networks of Black women in the salon. Relevance to clinical practice The insights shared by Black women can contribute to developing a PrEP uptake intervention as a way of reducing new cases of HIV.