Minimal Awareness and Stalled Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among at Risk, HIV-Negative, Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

Bibliographic Data

ID23344595
AuthorsLisa A Eaton (University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.), Daniel D Driffin (0009-0003-6735-4145, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.), Jose Bauermeister (0000-0002-9276-2306, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.), Harlan Smith (University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.), Christopher Conway-Washington (University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.)
Year2015
Volume29
Issue8
Pages423-429
Publication date2015-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Patient Care and STDs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1087-2914 • E-ISSN: 1557-7449
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1089/apc.2014.0303
PMID26083143
OpenAlexW1785707343
LanguageEN
Citations received89
References cited48

In the United States, rates of HIV infection are highest among black men who have sex with men (BMSM). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective form of HIV prevention, but the uptake of this strategy has been slow since FDA approval in 2012, and it is unknown whether information about PrEP is reaching BMSM. Four hundred and thirty-six BMSM in Atlanta, GA were surveyed from January 2012 (6 months prior to PrEP approval) to March 2014 (20 months after approval). Analyses revealed no association between date of survey assessment and awareness of PrEP (20.5% were aware of PrEP before approval and 23.4% were aware after approval; OR=0.99 [0.98-1.02], p=0.952). In a multivariate model, BMSM unaware of PrEP reported lower rates of HIV testing knowledge, fewer experiences with HIV testing, and higher rates of transactional sex than BMSM who were aware of PrEP. Our findings suggest that there is limited understanding of PrEP and that there is considerable groundwork that needs to be achieved in order to reap the full benefits of PrEP. The current findings call attention to the need to both prioritize and better understand how to strengthen the bridge between medical advances and community uptake.

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