Examining the Potential of Pharmacies to Expand Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Access Along Georgia’s Fixed-Route Public Transit: A Geospatial Analysis

Background Despite accounting for more than half of new Human Immunodeficiency Virus diagnoses in the United States, the South has fewer than 30% of all pre-exposure prophylaxis users. Pre-exposure prophylaxis access geospatial analyses have focused on drive time but analyses along public transit routes have not been evaluated. Given the proximity to pharmacists and pharmacies, involvement in pre-exposure prophylaxis services may increase access and uptake of this preventative health need. Objective The objectives were to compare the rate of pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake between Georgia counties with and without public transit, to assess the geospatial accessibility of services along public transit, and to evaluate the potential impact of expanding pre-exposure prophylaxis services to community pharmacies. Methods Pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake rates between counties with and without public transit were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Geospatial analysis was performed using ArcGIS Pro and Geoda. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake rates and population and county characteristics. Spatial analysis was completed to uncover predictors for pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake rates. Increased access to pre-exposure prophylaxis along public transit was calculated by reporting the number of counties that would experience at least a 50% increase in pre-exposure prophylaxis access through community pharmacies. Results Pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake is significantly higher in Georgia counties with versus without public transit (P < 0.001). Pre-exposure prophylaxis rate is positively correlated with the accessibility of community pharmacies and pre-exposure prophylaxis clinics along fixed-route public transit (R2 = 0.524). Among pre-exposure prophylaxis clinics, 44% are inaccessible by public transit alone. Community pharmacies are significantly more widely distributed and accessible along public transit routes than pre-exposure prophylaxis clinics. Conclusion Transportation remains a barrier to accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis. Georgia community pharmacies along public transit may serve as a solution to pre-exposure prophylaxis care access barriers.