Couple-centered HIV prevention and care: Endorsement, practice and uncertainty among us healthcare providers in western-central upstate New York

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299185
• Publication Date: 2025-02-25T18:38:57Z
• Authors: Natalie M. Leblanc; Sadandaula R. Muh...; Noelle St. Vil; Danielle Alcena-S...; Keosha T. Bond; Alexander Glazier; Luis Rosario-McCabe; Faith Lambert; Martez Smith
• Keywords: Facilitator; Health Literacy; Pre-exposure prophylaxis

Given the influence of provider perspective and practice in uptake HIV/STI prevention care strategies, this qualitative descriptive design study sought to illuminate perspectives couples HIV testing counseling (CHTC) describe couple/partner-based practices among health providers New York State. We utilized a purposive sampling strategy recruit (N = 27). Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted from Sept. 2019 Feb. 2021. Four themes emerged: on engaging partners couples-centered sexual promotion; providers’ experiences with patients care; endorsement CHTC; perceived CHTC implementation determinants. was prominently due perception as facilitator enhance patient-provider engagement treatment care, especially communication dissemination information partners. Providers reported that literacy needs regarding diagnosis, but primarily STIs regimens warranted joint approach. entailed strategy’s ability patient’s Lastly, endorsements beliefs it ensured knowledge equity consumers. Determinants factors have bearing facilitation or posed barriers jointly engage subsequently source uncertainty. These determinants ranged provider-level organizational capacity issues could impact implementation. Recommendations for are discussed.