Research trends and hotspots in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a bibliometric analysis and visual mapping

HIV remains a major global public health challenge, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has established itself as a pivotal evidence-based strategy for HIV prevention. While research on PrEP has expanded rapidly, a comprehensive synthesis of the existing literature is lacking. This review systematically analyzes trends, collaborative networks, and research hotspots in PrEP through a bibliometric approach to consolidate current knowledge and inform future directions. A total of 5,273 PrEPrelated publications (1992-2025) from the Web of Science Core Collection were included, showing a 15.99% annual growth rate. The field is dominated by contributions from the United States (2,969 publications), with the University of Washington as a core institutional contributor and the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes as the most prolific journal; Baeten JM emerges as a key collaborative figure. Key research hotspots include PrEP implementation, HIV prevention in men who have sex with men, adherence issues, and the development of long-acting agents (e.g., cabotegravir). Emerging trends highlight growing focus on long-acting formulations, awareness promotion, and multi-sectoral collaboration. This synthesis underscores the expanding significance of PrEP research, offering critical insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. Future efforts should prioritize advancing long-acting PrEP applications, addressing barriers such as limited awareness and economic burdens, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration to maximize PrEP’s role in global HIV control.