Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a cornerstone HIV prevention strategy, offering highly effective protection for individuals at risk. In Brazil, the sociodemographic profile of PrEP users is predominantly cisgender men, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), with a high proportion of self-declared white individuals and higher educational attainment. However, significant gaps persist in PrEP access among populations vulnerable to HIV, underscoring the need for local sociodemographic analyses to inform more effective, tailored health communication policies. This study analyzed the sociodemographic profile of PrEP users in the municipality of Bauru, São Paulo, to support the design of communication strategies that expand access and adherence, address disparities, and align information with local population characteristics.

Descriptive, quantitative study based on data extracted from Brazil’s Ministry of Health PrEP Monitoring Panel for the municipality of Bauru. The target population comprised 429 PrEP users recorded on the panel for the period analyzed.

Among the 429 PrEP users recorded in Bauru through 30 April 2025, 64% had 12 or more years of education. The predominant age group was 30–39 years (38.7%), with the lowest uptake among those aged 18–24 years (11.9%) and ≥ 50 years (8.9%). Cisgender MSM represented 84.1% of users; cisgender heterosexual men, 6.5%; cisgender women, 5.8%; transgender women, 2.8%; and transgender men, 0.7%. Most users self-identified as white or Asian (80%), while 11% identified as mixed-race and 9% as Black. Conclusion: The study results are consistent with the national trend in PrEP access. These findings reveal inequalities in access among populations vulnerable to HIV, such as those with low educational levels, young people, transgender individuals, and Black and Brown people. Therefore, it is necessary to expand communication policies using accessible language through non-conventional media, breaking stereotypes related to medication use and incorporating diverse representations of gender, race, and social class.