Non-Consensual Sex and Help-Seeking Behavior Among PrEP Users in Belgium

Findings from an Online Survey

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6457531
AutoresThibaut Vanbaelen (0000-0002-5541-6041, Institute of Tropical Medicine, autor correspondente), Anke Rotsaert (0000-0002-5895-9332, Institute of Tropical Medicine), Ella Van Landeghem (0000-0002-0019-9430, Institute of Tropical Medicine), C Nöstlinger (Institute of Tropical Medicine), Bea Vuylsteke (0000-0003-0514-4372, Institute of Tropical Medicine), Gert Scheerder (0009-0001-9977-318X, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine), Véronique Verhoeven (0000-0002-3708-6501, University of Antwerp), Thijs Reyniers (0000-0003-3756-921X, Institute of Tropical Medicine)
Ano2023
Volume62
Fascículo2
Páginas245-251
Data de publicação2023-07-24
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe Journal of Sex Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0022-4499 • E-ISSN: 1559-8519
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00224499.2023.2235330
PMID37486322
OpenAlexW4385186861
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas45

Non-consensual sex poses a threat not only to sexual health but also to mental and physical health in general. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users might be particularly vulnerable to non-consensual sex because of interplaying factors such as mental health disorders, a high number of sex partners, engagement in chemsex, and the widespread use of dating apps. The objectives of this study were to assess the occurrence of non-consensual sex, its associated factors, and related help-seeking behavior among PrEP users. We analyzed data from an online survey among PrEP users in Belgium (09/2020-02/2022). Almost one in five participants (34/187, 18.2%) reported having ever experienced non-consensual sex. The most reported form was having sex against one's will, followed by having been given drugs against one's will, and having had sex without a condom against one's will. The vast majority of those who had experienced non-consensual sex (29/34, 85.3%) did not seek help afterward, mostly due to a lack of perceived need (21/29, 72.4%). Reported barriers to seeking help were shame (6/29, 20.7%) and lack of awareness of help services (3/29, 10.3%). Having experienced non-consensual sex in the past five years was associated with younger age and suicidal ideation in a multivariable logistic regression model. We conclude that addressing barriers to non-consensual sex help services is crucial to maximize their use and minimize the consequences of non-consensual sex experiences. PrEP consultations also represent an opportunity to offer such help given PrEP users are already familiar with these PrEP services and engaged in care

Condom · Environmental health · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Logistic regression · Men who have sex with men · Mental health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Safer sex · Shame · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · Syphilis · Clinical Psychology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Social Psychology