The social meanings of PrEP use - A mixed-method study of PrEP use disclosure in Antwerp and Amsterdam

Bibliographic Data

ID2249900
AuthorsThijs Reyniers (0000-0003-3756-921X, Department of Public Health Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp Belgium, corresponding author), Hanne M L Zimmermann (0000-0002-1647-8485, Department of Infectious Diseases Public Health Service of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Udi Davidovich (0000-0002-4921-0346, Department of Infectious Diseases Public Health Service of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Bea Vuylsteke (0000-0003-0514-4372, Department of Public Health Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp Belgium), Marie Laga (0000-0002-3567-000X, Department of Public Health Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp Belgium), Elske Hoornenborg (0000-0002-0512-2109, Department of Infectious Diseases Public Health Service of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Maria Prins (0000-0003-2967-0289, Department of Infectious Diseases Public Health Service of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Henry J C De Vries (0000-0001-9784-547X, Department of Infectious Diseases Public Health Service of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands), Christiana Nöstlinger (0000-0001-9031-8503, Department of Public Health Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp Belgium)
Year2021
Volume43
Issue6
Pages1311-1327
Publication date2021-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.13283
PMID33997998
OpenAlexW3162957146
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited60

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel HIV prevention tool. PrEP stigma is a frequently reported barrier, while social disclosure of PrEP use may be an important facilitator. We explored how PrEP users managed PrEP use disclosure using a symbolic interactionist approach. We interviewed 32 participants from two PrEP demonstration projects (Be-PrEP-ared, Antwerp; AMPrEP, Amsterdam). We validated qualitative findings through Be-PrEP-ared questionnaire data. A minority of participants had received negative reactions on PrEP. The way PrEP use was disclosed was highly dependent on the social situation. In a sexual context among MSM, PrEP use was associated with condomless sex. Friends endorsed PrEP use as a healthy choice, but also related it to carelessness and promiscuity. It was seldom disclosed to colleagues and family, which is mostly related to social norms dictating when it is acceptable to talk about sex. The study findings reveal that PrEP stigma experiences were not frequent in this population, and that PrEP users actively manage disclosure of their PrEP user status. Frequent disclosure and increased use may have helped PrEP becoming normalised in these MSM communities. To increase uptake, peer communication, community activism and framing PrEP as health promotion rather than a risk-reduction intervention may be crucial

Facilitator · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Men who have sex with men · Pre-exposure prophylaxis · Psychiatry · Stigma (botany) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Social Psychology