Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile Medical Unit Program-(IFE4Her) to Enhance PrEP Awareness and Access Among Cis-gender Women in Low-Income Southeastern Communities: A Pilot Study.
Golin, C E; Hill, L M; Ayangeakaa, S D; Allison, O; Keshishian, T H; Michel, T; Pulliam, A; Woodley, A; Amola, K; Harding, C; Hall, N; Jacobs, T; Jones, M; Parrish, T; Wiggins, D; Riggins, L; Lightfoot, A F; Choi, Y; Navarro, I; Frye, J; Burns, C M; McKellar, M S
Abstract
Black women in the Southeastern United States face disproportionate HIV risk yet have low pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) utilization. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of I'm Fully Empowered (IFE4Her), a community-based intervention combining peer-led culturally-tailored messaging with mobile medical unit (MMU) services alongside complementary health screenings to enhance PrEP awareness and access among cis-gender women in four low-income communities. Over eight months of weekly half-day sessions, 78 women approached the MMU, 31 underwent services, 24 (77%) underwent a PrEP consultation, and 8 (33%) expressed interest in initiating. Field-based logistical challenges (blood draw difficulties, equipment malfunctions, and transportation to off-site laboratories) prevented PrEP initiation but highlighted modifiable implementation gaps. Satisfaction was high, with 80-85% reporting positive experiences with convenience, scheduling, and consultation quality. Over 95% utilized additional health screenings. Mobile, community-based PrEP access appears feasible and acceptable, supporting optimized mobile models to expand PrEP access for underserved women.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05644834.