A new interview study asked 50 people living with HIV and 5 healthcare providers in the United States about their treatment preferences. Researchers wanted to understand what matters most when considering a switch to long-acting injectable HIV treatment.
Side effects were the top concern for both groups. After that, how often doses are given and how the medicine is delivered were the next most important factors. Most participants said they would choose an injection over a daily pill when all injection options were considered together.
When it came to how often injections are given, 4-month and 6-month intervals were widely preferred among options given by a healthcare provider. Participants also brought up other factors on their own that influence their treatment decisions.
The study has limits. It used a hypothetical scenario, meaning participants were asked about a possible switch rather than actually changing treatments. It was a qualitative interview study, not a clinical trial, so the findings reflect opinions and preferences rather than measured health outcomes.
Still, the results highlight what patients and providers care about most: side effects, dose frequency, and delivery method. These insights can help guide conversations about long-acting injectable options for HIV care.
