OBJECTIVES: To assess stated preference of modality and frequency of HIV treatment among people living with HIV (PLWH) to inform heterogeneity in preference and unmet need for additional treatment options.

METHODS: An online discrete choice survey was conducted in the US in 2021-22 among adult PLWH to assess preference for treatment modality (oral pills, injections or implants) and dosing frequency using best-worst scaling and a latent class model to analyze preference heterogeneity. Participants responded to 13 choice cards and questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics and reasons for treatment preference. The treatment options included oral pills 1x a day or week, self-injections every 1-, 3-, or 6-months, injections by a healthcare provider (HCP) every 1-, 3-, or 6-months, and an implant once a year. Participants were recruited from an HIV patient database, an outpatient clinic, and a national online panel.

RESULTS: 829 PLWH completed the online survey (mean age was 44 years and 44% were African American). 6-monthly HCP-administered injection was the most preferred modality option, followed by weekly pills. 48% of respondents cited convenience as a driver of medication preference.

The latent class model utilized daily pill dosing as the referent for all comparisons. The model demonstrated a strong preference for the longer-acting option within any modality, and among subsets of respondents a strong preference for weekly oral pills, 6-monthly self-injections, 6-monthly HCP-administered injections, and a yearly implant.

CONCLUSIONS: Less frequent dosing of HIV treatment was generally preferred, and modality type was a notable driver of preference. PLWH are heterogenous with varied medication preferences; continued preference research should be an important input into HIV treatment research and development to offer new options and improve patient outcomes.