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The objective of this study was to describe stakeholders' perspectives on the acceptability of WeFLASH© (AADISS, Paris, France), a digital smartphone sexually transmitted infection (STI) patient notification (PN) tool to be launched among French HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users (PrEPers). In Paris, Lyon, and Nice, we conducted 2-hour focus group discussions with PrEPers (n = 21) and community mediators (n = 10), and one-on-one interviews with PrEP-prescribing physicians (n = 5) and HIV/STI management decision-makers (n = 4). Recordings were transcribed. The analysis focused on perceived benefits and risks. Concerning benefits, participants mentioned that WeFLASH© could provide: improved PN and STI screening, by refining the notification of anonymous partners; customized linkage-to-care, by providing users with tailored information on care; and transferable epidemiological data, by filling a need for real-time data. Participants anticipated risks for: privacy and confidentiality and suggested specific security settings to protect users' identity; sexual behavior and suggested game-like functions to improve the integration of the tool in sexual contexts; and fairness and emphasized the importance of making WeFLASH© accessible to all men who have sex with men. WeFLASH© could facilitate PN for an increasing proportion of anonymous partners met online, and empower users, including notified partners, on questions of confidentiality and consent, access to STI prevention and screening services, and access to data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The ongoing observational BICSTaR study aims to demonstrate effectiveness, safety and tolerability of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in routine clinical practice in at least 1400 antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naive (TN) and ARTexperienced (TE) people living with HIV (PLHIV). Materials and Methods: This 12-month (12M) analysis of PLHIV receiving B/F/TAF in Europe and Canada assessed HIV 1-RNA (missing data=excluded analysis), drug-related (DR) adverse events (AEs), persistence and weight/body mass index (BMI) change. Results: At the time of data cut-off (March 2020), 513 participants (n=84 TN/n=429 TE) completed a 12M visit. Most were male (91%) and white (89%); the median age was 38 (TN) and 49 (TE) years. Prevalence of comorbidities at baseline was 76%; the most common were neuropsychiatric (28%), hyperlipidemia (18%) and hypertension (18%). 71%/18%/13% of TE participants switched from INSTI/NNRTI/PI-based regimens, respectively (26% TDF); 8% had a history of prior virologic failure. Baseline primary resistance prevalence by historical genotype was 9% [n=43/513; 5% had resistance mutations associated with NNRTIs, 3% PIs, 3% NRTIs (n=8 M184V/I, n=1 K65R) and 0.2% with INSTIs (n=1 G140S)]. At 12M, 100% of TN (n=74/74) and 96% (n=357/373) TE participants had viral load (VL) <50 copies/ml. Comparable and high effectiveness was observed in both male and female participants, including older individuals (Table 1). No major resistance substitutions to the components of B/F/TAF emerged. DRAEs occurred in 14% (n=12/84) of TN and 15% (n=64/429) of TE participants, with the most common being gastrointestinal (5%) and neuropsychiatric (4%); discontinuations due to DRAE were low (TN 3.6% and 7.2% TE) and 90% of study participants remained on B/F/TAF (n=462/513). Serious DRAEs were rare [0.4%; all in TE participants (n=2 depression)]. At 12M, median (Q1, Q3) weight change was +2.5 kg (0.5, 6.3) for TN (n=48) and +0.9 kg (-1.0, 3.0) for TE (n=269), with small changes in BMI of +0.8 kg/m² (0.1, 1.9) for TN and +0.3 kg/m² (-0.3, 1.0) for TE. Weight increase >10% was observed in 19% (n=9/48) and 5% (n=15/269) of TN and TE participants, respectively. Conclusion: The use of B/F/TAF in this real-world clinical cohort was associated with a high level of effectiveness and safety through 12M, inclusive of male, female and older PLHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]