(P116) COMMUNITY DISPENSING OF DOXYPEP IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Background:
Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) is a preventative treatment for chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea proven effective for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) meeting certain criteria. Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (MAL) is an annual 3-day fetish event catering to thousands of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) held in Washington, DC. DoxyPEP education and starter packs were provided to interested MAL attendees as a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention intervention.

Methods:
During MAL 2024, clinicians provided STI education and counseling, took brief medical histories, and dispensed six 100 mg tablets of Doxycycline (3 doses of DoxyPEP). Name, date of birth, and limited contact information were obtained to establish clinical care for those receiving DoxyPEP. A 5-question follow-up survey was sent via text a month after MAL to assess DoxyPEP knowledge, behaviors, and subsequent STI diagnoses.

Results:
During MAL 2024, 419 GBMSM were provided DoxyPEP starter packs. Of those, 358 (85.4%) received a follow-up survey via text (61 records were incomplete or illegible) and 67 (18.7%) responded. The majority (n=50, 74.6%) reported knowing about DoxyPEP prior to MAL, 53 (79.1%) reported taking DoxyPEP during MAL (1.9 mean doses taken; range: 1-3 doses), and 60 (89.6%) had discussed or planned to discuss DoxyPEP with their primary care provider after MAL. The most reported reason for not taking DoxyPEP was not having unprotected sex during MAL. Only 1 respondent (1.5%) reported being diagnosed with an STI (chlamydia) after MAL and this person reported not taking DoxyPEP during MAL.

Conclusion:
MAL 2024 attendees were interested in learning more about DoxyPEP, including receiving DoxyPEP starter packs. MSM and TGW may benefit from increased community outreach and direct DoxyPEP dispensing. Providing DoxyPEP education to medical providers in parallel with community outreach may also increase DoxyPEP knowledge and utilization.