This study looks at how to help people who use drugs start and keep taking medicine that can prevent HIV. The medicine is called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). The study investigators will use a pill called Descovy (F/TAF), which is already approved by the FDA for HIV prevention.
People who come to the emergency department (ED) and test negative for HIV may join the study. Some participants will start taking PrEP and will be followed for one year. Other participants will only do an interview about their thoughts on PrEP. The study investigators will also talk to doctors and peer support workers in the ED to learn what makes it easier or harder to offer PrEP.
The main goal is to see how well PrEP can be started and continued for people who use drugs. The study investigators will look at how many people start PrEP, how many keep taking it, and what helps or makes it hard to stay on PrEP. The study investigators will also learn about the best ways to connect people to care after they leave the ED.
This study does not test if the medicine works to prevent HIV-that is already known. Instead, it looks at real-life challenges and solutions for using PrEP in this group. The study may help improve HIV prevention and health care for people who use drugs.