Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) who use smartphone applications (apps) to meet sexual partners represent a high-risk subset of MSM. As such, the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may be highly suitable. The purpose of the study was to evaluate awareness of and willingness to use PrEP among 179 HIV-uninfected MSM recruited in London who use these apps. Regression models were fit to assess the associations between perceived barriers and willingness to use PrEP in the future. Most (84.9%) had heard of PrEP and more than half (57.1%) were willing to use PrEP in the future if it were to become available. Low perceived risk for acquiring HIV (prevalence ratio (PR): 0.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04, 0.33) and concerns about PrEP-related side effects (PR: 0.01; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.04) were associated with being unwilling to use PrEP. Efforts to make PrEP widely available should be continued. Uptake interventions should focus on correcting self-perceptions of HIV risk and educate MSM about the potential side effects of PrEP use so that MSM can make more informed decisions about prevention options.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 112-121 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Global Public Health |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2 2019 |
Keywords
- Men who have sex with men
- United Kingdom
- geosocial-networking smartphone applications
- pre-exposure prophylaxis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health