“They Should Lay It All on the Table”
Oral PrEP Perceptions Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Portugal
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21652450 |
|---|---|
| Authors | G G Pinheiro (0000-0001-8257-7521, Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, corresponding author), C Moleiro (Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa), D L Rodrigues (Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-23 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Sexuality & Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1095-5143 • E-ISSN: 1936-4822 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12119-026-10602-w |
| OpenAlex | W7165671361 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 46 |
Portugal is among the Western European countries with the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses. Despite pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) efficacy in reducing HIV transmission, adherence rates remain below UNAIDS targets, even among key populations. A qualitative study was conducted with 17 semi-structured interviews with men who have sex with men (MSM) living in Portugal, both PrEP users and non-users. Data were analyzed using content analysis combined with elements of consensual qualitative research, informed by the PrEP care continuum as an organizing framework. Findings showed that interconnected structural, psychosocial, and individual factors across the care continuum shape PrEP engagement. Specifically, community-based services and peer networks are central in facilitating awareness and uptake, although their limited availability outside urban areas creates barriers for individuals living in rural areas. Stigma related to PrEP use emerged as a cross-cutting barrier, particularly among individuals with intersecting marginalized identities, and was associated with concerns about sexual identity and disclosure. Perceived HIV risk influences engagement with PrEP, with higher perceived risk facilitating awareness, uptake, and adherence, whereas lower perceived risk was associated with reduced interest and PrEP discontinuation. The study contributes to understanding PrEP implementation among MSM in Portugal and supports ongoing efforts to integrate PrEP into primary healthcare following models already established for other prophylactic interventions
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Men who have sex with men · Perception · Pre-exposure prophylaxis · Primary care · Qualitative research · Risk perception · Stigma (botany) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Sex work and related issues
The Spectrum of Engagement in HIV Care and its Relevance to Test-and-Treat Strategies for Prevention of HIV Infection
Classical Content Analysis
Defining the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis care continuum
HIV Protective Efficacy and Correlates of Tenofovir Blood Concentrations in a Clinical Trial of PrEP for HIV Prevention
Understanding, Contextualizing, and Addressing PrEP Stigma to Enhance PrEP Implementation
Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Concentrations and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Efficacy in Men Who Have Sex with Men
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
From Intentions to Actions
Knowledge and Use of PEP and PrEP Among Key Populations Tested in Community Centers in Portugal
Disparities in Geographical Access to Hospitals in Portugal
Mental Health Literacy and Stigma in a Municipality in the North of Portugal
Provision of Preexposure Prophylaxis at the Portuguese National Health Service and Uptake in the Lisbon Cohort of Men Who Have Sex with Men
Understanding PrEP Persistence
Factors Associated with PrEP Stigma Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (gbMSM)
How Has HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Changed Sex? A Review of Research in a New Era of Bio-behavioral HIV Prevention
Drug use Risks in Portuguese Rural vs Urban Environments
Eligibility for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis According to Different Guidelines in a Cohort of HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in Lisbon, Portugal
Moving Toward a More Comprehensive Standard for Sex Education
Quality of Sex Life and Perceived Sexual Pleasure of PrEP Users in the Netherlands
The Implications of HIV Biomedical Prevention for Perceived HIV Risk and Psychosexual Health among Sexual Minority Men in the United States
Let’s Be a Person to Person and Have a Genuine Conversation”
Changing Aids-risk behavior
But Everything Else, I Learned Online
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |