Table 2.
Themes and associated codes identified through thematic analysis of focus group data.
| Category of Themes | Themes | Codes (n = 1217) | Frequency of Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| External Locus of Control | |||
| Self-advocacy with providers about health | 7 codes | ||
| Preference in having a Black provider | 14 | ||
| Preference in having a female provider | 10 | ||
| Provider not discussing PrEP | 5 | ||
| Provider not discussing sexual health | 5 | ||
| Relationship with provider supports comfort to discuss PrEP | 3 | ||
| Provider comfort talking about sexual health | 2 | ||
| Perception that provider’s knowledge is outdated | 1 | ||
| Media Influences on understanding of PrEP | 6 codes | ||
| TV media messaging about PrEP | 60 ** | ||
| Perception that cis Black/African American women are not prioritized in TV media messaging about PrEP | 26 * | ||
| Media messaging suggests that PrEP is for LGBTQ+ community | 19 | ||
| Females may feel excluded due to lack of representation in media marketing | 7 | ||
| Perception that PrEP commercials were not relatable due to lack of representation | 2 | ||
| Lack of PrEP awareness due to disconnect from media | 1 | ||
| Comfort with provider–patient interactions | 12 codes | ||
| Perceived comfort with discussing sexual health with provider | 8 | ||
| Communicating openly with your provider is part of your health | 8 | ||
| Perceived comfort in having a female provider | 5 | ||
| Comfort talking about PrEP with provider | 5 | ||
| Perceived trust in provider | 4 | ||
| Discomfort communicating with provider about sexual health | 4 | ||
| Long-term relationship with provider promotes comfort to discuss sexual health | 2 | ||
| Perceived comfort in having a Black provider | 2 | ||
| Honest communication as a remedy for medical mistrust | 2 | ||
| Comfort with talking about PrEP with provider regardless of provider’s gender | 2 | ||
| Perceived higher level of trust in having a Black provider | 1 | ||
| Acknowledged the need for transparency in health communication with providers | 1 | ||
| Provider engagement in sexual health of cis Black female patients | 10 codes | ||
| Experience with provider offering HIV testing | 13 | ||
| Willingness to engage provider in HIV testing | 10 | ||
| Experience with provider discussing sexual health | 5 | ||
| Level of trust influencing decision to get HIV test | 4 | ||
| Experience with provider offering STD testing | 3 | ||
| Patient desires to have preventative conversations with provider | 2 | ||
| Hesitancy for conversations about PrEP due to perceived stigma or judgment | 2 | ||
| Assumption of sexual risk for provider | 2 | ||
| Level of trust within relationship influencing decision to take PrEP | 1 | ||
| Experience with provider discussing PrEP | 1 | ||
| Awareness of peers with HIV and/or taking PrEP | 4 codes | ||
| Awareness of peers on PrEP | 2 | ||
| Awareness of peers with HIV prompts willingness to learn more | 2 | ||
| Awareness of peers taking PrEP opens communication about PrEP | 1 | ||
| Awareness of peers with HIV and PrEP experience | 1 | ||
| PrEP-related concerns | 5 codes | ||
| Concern with cost and insurance coverage for PrEP | 4 | ||
| Concerns for PrEP injectable | 4 | ||
| Cost as a barrier to PrEP readiness | 3 | ||
| Concerns for PrEP as an injection | 2 | ||
| Concerns for PrEP oral pill | 2 | ||
Legend: ** 50 or more uses of the code; * 20–49 uses of the code.