LAUSR

INTRODUCTION HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention method for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to examine 1) relationships between physical, sexual and psychological IPV and women's PrEP communication with a healthcare provider and domestic violence advocate; and 2) how IPV-specific medical mistrust modifies the association between IPV and PrEP communication. METHODS Data were from two studies conducted in Connecticut and Baltimore, MD on adult women experiencing IPV (N=272). Logistic regressions examined associations between IPV, PrEP communication, and IPV-specific medical mistrust. RESULTS The average age was 25.7. The most common identity was non-Hispanic Black (37.1%), followed by non-Hispanic White (33.8%), Hispanic (20.6%) and non-Hispanic another racial group (8.5%). Higher severity of psychological IPV was associated with more embarrassment to initiate a PrEP discussion with a healthcare provider (p = 0.009) or domestic violence advocate (p = 0.026). However, women with more severe psychological IPV were more willing to accept a PrEP recommendation from a healthcare provider (p = 0.033) or domestic violence advocate (p = 0.044). IPV-specific medical mistrust modified the association between physical IPV and willingness to accept a PrEP recommendation by a domestic violence advocate, such that women with physical IPV were significantly less likely to accept a PrEP recommendation by a domestic violence advocate, but only for women with high IPV-specific medical mistrust (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION PrEP initiation among women experiencing IPV may be strengthened by addressing and dismantling systems that perpetuate IPV-specific medical mistrust and stigma against IPV survivors.