Long Term Project Report. Rue PrEP: How to Access PrEP in New Orleans. New Orleans, Louisiana. Team NOLA

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1 Long Term Project Report Rue PrEP: How to Access PrEP in New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana Team NOLA June 2016

2 Abstract Team NOLA s Long Term Project is an educational graphic pamphlet designed to inform the general population about PrEP navigation in the Greater New Orleans area. This includes a step-by-step guide to accessing PrEP once a client decides they are interested in taking PrEP. We also have included information about insurance, payment programs and local clinics prescribing PrEP. This project is a collaboration between AmeriCorps AIDS United Team NOLA and the Office of Public Health STD/HIV Program with assistance from NO/AIDS Task Force, Priority Health Care and Tulane Drop-In Center. The mission of this project is to provide an inter-agency tool to increase awareness and access to PrEP in the Greater New Orleans area. The goals of this project are to create a pamphlet and poster to be included in prevention outreach efforts and remain a part of the standard prevention materials distributed by the STD/HIV Program. AIDS United AmeriCorps Team NOLA

3 Project History Although there is increased publicity about PrEP in Louisiana, our team found that there was an information gap regarding the process of accessing PrEP. Members of the AmeriCorps team repeatedly encountered clients who possessed a knowledge and interest in PrEP services but were not informed about the necessary steps in order to receive a prescription for PrEP and realistic lifestyle changes necessary to maintain healthy living on PrEP. Clients specifically lacked knowledge regarding where to access PrEP, how to pay for PrEP and what life on PrEP would look like. In order to address these issues, the Team NOLA developed an educational graphic pamphlet with the objective of informing the general population on available services. As PrEP is intended for any individual with 3 or more partners a year, men who have sex with other men, intravenous drug users and serodiscordant couples, the pamphlet is designed for anyone interested in PrEP services in New Orleans. The initial intention of this project was to be included in standard outreach materials and regular HIV testing services. Team NOLA on World AIDS Day 2015

4 Service Learning During this project, Team NOLA had various service learning goals that directly influenced the outcome of our PrEP educational informational pamphlet. The team wanted to learn about PrEP access in the greater New Orleans area, including clinics that prescribe PrEP, a typical first doctor s visit, and basic insurance and payment options. Additionally, the team wanted to establish a general PrEP timeline, from the first doctor s appointment to starting medication adherence. A goal that posed a greater challenge was determining the level of PrEP knowledge at the community level. Team NOLA gained valuable skills through the experience of creating a community specific public health tool. Team members not only learned about graphic design but were also challenged to create a product through a new platform. The team was able to achieve this goal through the help of Sean Clark, a graphic designer for the Louisiana Public Health Institute. Throughout the design process, team members discovered new social media platforms that assisted in the creation of the educational graphic pamphlet. Conducting focus groups played a key role in ensuring the project was useful to all members of the greater New Orleans community. Service Learning: Team NOLA at St. Bernard Project s 24-Hour Build on the 10 th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

5 Civic Engagement Team NOLA engaged with many members of the New Orleans public health community and members of the target populations. As we brainstormed the project, each team member met with their host agency supervisors to gather ideas regarding community needs and how the Long Term Project could best address them. Once the PrEP topic had been chosen, the team met with Dr. Sue Abdalian of Tulane University and also Dr. Ron Wilcox of Crescent Care, two doctors who prescribe PrEP to individuals in New Orleans. The team also met with community stakeholders and professionals from the STD/HIV Program. Based on the feedback we received from these meetings we were able to successfully incorporate their suggestions into the project. With a completed first draft, we engaged different members of the target populations through three focus groups to gain additional insight into community knowledge regarding PrEP. The success of this project was largely based on direct community interaction and involvement, without which we would not be able to best serve our local community. Team NOLA distributing emergency preparedness information in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2016

6 Action Plan While researching local PrEP access, Team NOLA decided to incorporate a graphic to help depict the information. As team members had very basic knowledge surrounding graphic design, we enlisted the expertise from Sean Clark from Louisiana Public Health Institute for technical assistance and knowledge about public health graphics. The team experimented with different free graphic creating platforms before settling on Canva to design the project. After multiple team meetings to create storyboards and hand-sketched designs, we translated these ideas onto the media platform. Following the design phase, we created appropriate text to explain the information. With the rough draft completed, the team secured support from the Louisiana Office of Public Health to co-brand and print the final project. This support required the team to undergo a series of approval processes and revisions to meet the standards of the Louisiana Office of Public Health. Team NOLA also created vision boards to put their own 5-year plans into action!

7 Personal Reflections The long term project allowed me to grow my graphic design skills and learn how to use graphic design and public health to reach diverse populations. Ariana Chrisman Our Long-Term Project was a great opportunity to work with community members and other public health professionals who share a similar goal of increasing access to PrEP. It was awesome to listen and learn with them, and grow closer as a team in the process. We all challenged ourselves and gained new skills as a result of working on this project. I am so proud of all we accomplished and hope this project can be a community resource for years to come! Alison Huddleston

8 The Long Term Project enabled me to branch out from solely working in an organizational and research capacity to an educational capacity. I gained many skills that have allowed me to become more creative in my approach to public health projects. Lindsay Peters This project allowed me the opportunity to fully engage with my community and my host agency s target population in order to meet their specific needs regarding PrEP. -Ainsley Bryce

9 References Team NOLA would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Sue Abdalian and Dr. Ron Wilcox for serving as direct references for the information displayed in the informational graphic pamphlet. Other sources:

10 Rue PrEP Rue PrEP Insurance Information To find out if your insurance provider covers PrEP call their customer support line. Medicare and Medicaid Veterans Affairs (VA) Need help with co-pays? Avita CoPay Assistance Gilead Advancing Access Co-Pay Coupon Card (only for privately insured) No insurance? No problem! Truvada for PrEP Medication Assistance Program (Call for more information, Monday to Friday 10am-9pm) Partnership for Prescription Assistance Additional Information For additional PrEP information and support, contact these organizations: East Bank BreakOUT! Drop In Space: 1001 S. Broad St. #119 New Orleans LA youthbreakout.org Brotherhood, Incorporated 2714 Canal St. New Orleans LA Brotherhoodinc.org The Movement 2610 Esplanade Suite. B, New Orleans LA 70119, Tulane Drop-In Center 1461 N. Claiborne Ave. New Orleans LA tulane.edu/som/dropin West Bank Priority Health Care Marrero Wichers Dr Suite Marrero, LA Gretna A Westbank Expressway Suite Gretna, LA priorityhealthcare.org Web Support New Orleans Guide to Rue PrEP PrEP

11 Interested in PrEP? Feel that you could take a pill every day? PrEP is one way to protect yourself against HIV Consider PrEP if: Your partner lives with HIV You don't know your partner's HIV status. You've had an STI in the last 6 months You or your partner use injection drugs You exchange sex for money, food, or housing What about condoms? PrEP does not protect against pregnancy or other Sexually Transmitted Infections (syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia). When used correctly, condoms can help prevent pregnancy and STI s. What are the side effects? Gas and bloating. Some report bone thinning or minor kidney/liver damage. These are rare and reversible by stopping PrEP. How to get PrEP? Any doctor can prescribe PrEP. Talk to your primary care doctor* What is the first appointment like? Ask questions about PrEP! HIV test Hepatitis B test Liver and/or kidney test If taken daily, PrEP is up to 99% effective at preventing HIV transmission *PrEP takes 2 4 weeks to become effective against HIV How to pay for PrEP? Most health plans cover some/all of PrEP costs. Call your provider s customer service line to learn more about coverage. If uninsured, there are patient assistance programs. How long to get PrEP? If your health plan covers PrEP, within a few days. If uninsured, it may take 2-4 weeks. *Don't have a primary care doctor? There are clinics throughout New Orleans that prescribe PrEP Ruth U. Fertel Tulane Community Health Center (504) North Broad Street New Orleans, LA Ochsner Medical Center- (504) Jefferson Highway Jefferson, LA Tulane Drop-In Clinic- (504) or 1119 (Provides services for people 24 and under) 611 N. Rampart Street New Orleans, LA Located inside the Covenant House Crescent Care - (504) Tulane Ave. New Orleans LA prepclinic@crescentcarehealth.org Priority Health Care Marrero Wichers Dr Suite Marrero, LA Gretna A Westbank Expressway Suite Gretna, LA 70053