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Limited Awareness and Low Immediate Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among Men Who Have Sex with Men Using an Internet Social Networking Site.

ABSTRACT: In 2010, the iPrEx trial demonstrated that oral antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduced the risk of HIV acquisition among high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). The impact of iPrEx on PrEP knowledge and actual use among at-risk MSM is unknown. Online surveys were conducted to assess PrEP awareness, interest and experience among at-risk MSM before and after iPrEx, and to determine demographic and behavioral factors associated with these measures.Cross-sectional, national, internet-based surveys were administered to U.S. based members of the most popular American MSM social networking site 2 months before (n = 398) and 1 month after (n = 4 558) publication of iPrEx results. Comparisons were made between these samples with regards to PrEP knowledge, interest, and experience. Data were collected on demographics, sexual risk, and experience with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PrEP awareness, interest, and experience post-iPrEx. Most participants were white, educated, and indicated high-risk sexual behaviors. Awareness of PrEP was limited pre- and post-iPrEx (13% vs. 19%), whereas interest levels after being provided with a description of PrEP remained high (76% vs. 79%). PrEP use remained uncommon (0.7% vs. 0.9%). PrEP use was associated with PEP awareness (OR 7.46; CI 1.52-36.6) and PEP experience (OR 34.2; CI 13.3-88.4). PrEP interest was associated with older age (OR 1.01; CI 1.00-1.02), unprotected anal intercourse with ≥1 male partner in the prior 3 months (OR 1.40; CI 1.10-1.77), and perceiving oneself at increased risk for HIV acquisition (OR 1.20; CI 1.13-1.27).Among MSM engaged in online networking, awareness of PrEP was limited 1 month after the iPrEx data were released. Utilization was low, although some MSM who reported high-risk behaviors were interested in using PrEP. Studies are needed to understand barriers to PrEP utilization by at-risk MSM.

SUBMITTER: Krakower DS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3314648 | biostudies-other | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:IntroductionPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a key HIV prevention technology, and is a pillar of a comprehensive HIV prevention approach for men who have sex with men (MSM). Because there have been no national data to characterize trends in the PrEP continuum in the United States, overall and for key demographic groups of MSM, we aimed to describe the extent to which PrEP awareness, willingness and use changed over time, overall and for specific groups of MSM critical for HIV prevention (e.g. Black and Hispanic MSM, younger MSM, MSM in rural areas and MSM without health coverage).MethodsThe American Men's Internet Survey (AMIS) is an annual survey of US MSM conducted in the United States among MSM aged ?15 years since 2013. We analysed data on trends in elements of the PrEP continuum (awareness, willingness and use of PrEP) in a sample of 37,476 HIV-negative/unknown status MSM from December 2013 through November 2017. We evaluated trends in continuum steps overall and among demographic subgroups using Poisson models with Generalized Estimating Equations. For 2017 data, we used logistic regression to compare the prevalence of PrEP use among demographic groups.ResultsOverall, 51.4% (n = 19,244) of AMIS respondents were PrEP-eligible across study years. Between 2013 and 2017, PrEP awareness increased from 47.4% to 80.6% willingness to use PrEP increased from 43.9% to 59.5% and PrEP use in the past 12 months increased from 1.7% to 19.9%. In 2017, use of PrEP was lower for men who were younger, lived outside of urban areas, and lacked health insurance; PrEP use was not different among Black, Hispanic and white MSM.ConclusionsOur data show progress in use of PrEP among US MSM, but also reveal mismatches between PrEP use and epidemic need. We call for additional support of PrEP initiation, especially among young, non-urban and uninsured MSM. Black and Hispanic MSM report levels of PrEP use no different from white MSM, but given higher HIV incidence for Black and Hispanic MSM, parity in use is not sufficient for epidemic control or health equity.

Project description:BACKGROUND:HealthMindr is a mobile phone HIV prevention app for men who have sex with men (MSM). In a previous pilot study, HealthMindr was found to be acceptable among users and to demonstrate preliminary effectiveness for increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among MSM. PrEP is a highly effective HIV prevention intervention; however, uptake remains low. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study will be to assess the efficacy of a mobile app for increasing PrEP uptake among MSM in the southern United States. METHODS:In this randomized controlled trial, we will assess the efficacy of HealthMindr for increasing PrEP uptake among MSM in the following three southern US cities: Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; and Washington, DC. In total, 657 men will be recruited and randomized to intervention and control arms in a 2:1 ratio. Participants in the intervention arm will receive access to the full HealthMindr app, with information and resources about PrEP (eg, frequently asked questions, risk assessment tool, and PrEP provider locator), other HIV prevention information, ability to order free HIV/sexually transmitted infection test kits, and additional resources related to substance use and mental health. Participants in the control arm will use the HealthMindr app but will only have access to the study timeline and a message center to communicate with study staff. Participants will complete quarterly surveys to assess self-reported PrEP uptake over 12 months of follow-up. Self-reported PrEP uptake will be verified by dried blood spot testing and/or uploading a photograph of a PrEP prescription. RESULTS:Participant recruitment began in January 2020. CONCLUSIONS:This trial will determine whether the HealthMindr app can increase PrEP uptake among MSM in the southern United States. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03763942; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03763942. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID):PRR1-10.2196/16231.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is currently an important tool for HIV prevention, especially in communities with higher risk of infection, notably men who have sex with men (MSM). To date, PrEP has remained generally unavailable in many cities around the world. In the planning of strategies for PrEP targeting MSM, community assessment is crucial to understand members' responses to the new intervention. OBJECTIVE:Awareness and acceptance are 2 different but intricately linked contexts of PrEP. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of awareness and acceptance of PrEP among MSM and to delineate their interrelationships in Hong Kong where PrEP services have not been developed. METHODS:A Web-based questionnaire survey was administered in light of the popularity of the internet as a platform for information and networking in the MSM community. Factors associated with PrEP acceptance and awareness were separately analyzed, and their predictors were subsequently tested by multivariate logistic regression. Associations between acceptance and awareness of PrEP were examined by factor network analysis. RESULTS:Between August and September 2016, results from a total of 453 HIV-negative MSM were analyzed. Half (49.7%, 225/453) of the respondents were aware of PrEP, and 78.3% (355/453) would consider using PrEP when it becomes available. Awareness of PrEP was associated with recent (P=.01) and ongoing (P=.04) use of psychotropic drugs for sex (chemsex). MSM who used online forums to seek sex partners had lower awareness (P=.04) than those visiting physical venues for sex networking. MSM who accepted PrEP were more likely users of internet channels for sex networking (P=.049), especially location-based social network apps (P=.04). MSM accepting PrEP were more concerned about their partners' HIV status (P=.002), history of sexually transmitted infections (P=.01), condom use (P=.02), and HIV testing behavior (P=.02). Multivariate logistic regressions revealed that PrEP awareness was related to one's networking pattern, whereas its acceptance was associated with inclination to self-protect from HIV. Factor network analysis highlighted the importance of chemsex, which was linked by over half of the edges, whereas the rest were contributed by HIV testing behaviors. CONCLUSIONS:In Hong Kong, the overall awareness among MSM toward PrEP was only moderate but their acceptance was higher. Targeting MSM with chemsex behaviors through Web-based platforms and parallel development of tailored HIV testing services are important when introducing PrEP in the community.

Project description:BackgroundIn the United States, geosocial networking (GSN) apps (ie, mobile dating apps) have become central to dating and sexual interactions in recent years. Among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM), these apps play an important role in reducing barriers and facilitating partner seeking. However, despite these benefits, there are concerns that these apps may facilitate risky sexual behavior and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among GBM.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the association between GSN app use and sexual risk in a US sample of GBM.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, respondents (N=223) completed a web-based survey assessing their use of GSN apps, sexual risk and protective behaviors, HIV serostatus, and previous STI diagnoses.ResultsRespondents were aged 21-78 (mean 31.90, SD 10.06) years and 69.5% (155/223) were non-Hispanic White. The sample included respondents from 40 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly half (104/223, 47%) of the participants reported using GSN apps. GSN users were more likely to report past-year condomless anal intercourse (P<.001), 3 or more sexual partners in the previous year (P<.001), and a previous STI diagnosis (P=.001) than nonusers. GSN users also reported more frequent use of recreational drugs before sex (P=.001), alcohol use before sex (P<.001), and cannabis use before sex (P=.01). Interestingly, GSN users were also more likely to report having ever taken an HIV test (P<.001) and using pre-exposure prophylaxis (P=.03). The rates of HIV seropositivity did not differ significantly between GSN users and nonusers (P=.53). Among the subset of GSN users, 38 participants reported using only GBM-specific GSN apps (eg, Grindr), whereas 27 participants reported using only sexuality nonspecific GSN apps (eg, Tinder). Exclusive users of GBM-specific apps reported more frequent recreational drug use before sex (P=.01) and were also more likely to report past-year condomless anal intercourse (P<.001), 3 or more sexual partners in the previous year (P=.004), a previous STI diagnosis (P=.002), and HIV testing (P=.003). Alcohol use before sex, cannabis use before sex, pre-exposure prophylaxis use, and HIV rates were similar between both groups (P>.11).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that GSN apps may be a useful pathway for interventions aimed at reducing STI risk in GBM. Future prospective studies should examine how risk levels change after the initiation of GSN app use.

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Limited Awareness and Low Immediate Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among Men Who Have Sex with Men Using an Internet Social Networking Site.

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