HIV prevention for women: Exploring the uptake of pre- and postexposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) among cis and trans women accessing nurse-led HIV prevention services in Ottawa, Canada (PrEP-RN).

This article examines the uptake of HIV prevention services—postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—among cis and trans women in Ottawa, Canada, through nurse-led programs (PEP-RN and PrEP-RN). Findings indicate low engagement by women, with 10% uptake for PEP and 3% for PrEP, despite women representing a growing proportion of new HIV diagnoses in Ontario. Women who sought PEP often self-identified potential HIV exposure, primarily through condomless sex or injection drug use, while PrEP acceptance was higher among women assessed by nurses’ clinical judgment, especially those involved in safer opiate supply programs where adherence was improved via direct observed therapy. The study highlights the need for more nuanced, gender-sensitive HIV risk assessments and tailored prevention strategies to better address the diverse and multifactorial HIV vulnerabilities among women.