Project Grant R01DA064423

The University of Connecticut received a $755,118 Project Grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279), awarded on May 15, 2026, with completion targeted for February 28, 2031. This grant supports a multilevel mixed-methods longitudinal research study conducted by a team of developmental, clinical, and public health scientists to identify and address behavioral and sociocultural drivers of premature Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) discontinuation among men aged 18-35 using both oral and injectable formulations. The research responds to a critical gap in HIV prevention implementation, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified individuals who discontinue PrEP without restarting as those with the highest HIV seroconversion incidence across the PrEP care continuum.

The study will deliver comprehensive empirical findings on PrEP retention barriers, with particular emphasis on substance-using populations who remain underserved by current interventions. The research plan includes four primary aims: conducting 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews with participants who previously discontinued PrEP; identifying which individuals benefit most from PrEP retention efforts; characterizing the critical discontinuation window; and mapping intervention components and generating immediate recommendations for end-users and clinical practitioners. Guided by the Health Behavior Model and Medication Necessity Concerns Framework, the study will produce evidence-based recommendations to inform future intervention development aimed at improving PrEP engagement and reducing HIV infection risk among vulnerable populations.