Knowledge of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among immigrant Asian gay men living in New Zealand

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONHIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new bio-medical means of reducing the risk of HIV infection. It’s use by individuals at high risk of HIV acquisition is recommended. AimsThis study identifies the ways immigrant Asian gay men living in New Zealand talk about and understand issues related to PrEP. METHODSA qualitative descriptive methodology was used. Individual interviews were conducted with 18 immigrant Asian gay men who were not users of PrEP. Participants were aged 21 – 36 years and one-third had arrived in New Zealand within 3 years of completing the interview. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTSThree themes evident across the men’s talk in relation to pre-exposure prophylaxis were identified: ‘I’m not sure what PrEP is’; ‘PrEP is not proven’; and ‘PrEP is for others, not me’. DISCUSSIONPrEP is necessary for working towards the elimination of HIV. To improve uptake among Asian gay men, improved literacy around HIV and pre-exposure prophylaxis is required. This knowledge needs to be improved at both the individual level in primary care services and collectively through health promotion initiatives. These services and health promotion initiatives need to be provided in ways that encourage engagement by Asian gay men.

Adherence, Sexual Behavior and Sexually Transmitted Infections in a New Zealand Prospective PrEP Cohort: 12 Months Follow-up and Ethnic Disparities

“…Combining Māori with Pacific ethnicity increased study power, however each will have distinct experiences and this is not a preferred approach. We did not have study power to examine ethnic minority Asian GBM, who exhibit distinct PrEP experiences in New Zealand [70], nor migrant GBM who do not qualify for funded PrEP. Multiple statistical tests were not adjusted for in this study, which runs a risk of type 1 errors.…”

Enhancing the inclusion of gender and sexually diverse populations in evaluation: Reflections grounded in practice

“…, inviting community members onto the evaluation (or research) team (e.g. Adams, Coquilla, et al, 2019) or undertaking extensive community consultation (e.g. Adams et al, 2021;.Where possible, this involvement should be a paid role as providing this type of support to evaluators is time consuming and places demands on gender and sexually diverse communities and individuals, just as it does for advisors from other communities such as ethnic communities or disability groups.…”

Program Evaluation for Health Professionals: What It Is, What It Isn’t and How to Do It

“…In this case the campaign was developed based on evidence that promotional activities that engage with communities at all levels of development and implementation are more likely to be successful (Neville et al, 2014(Neville et al, , 2016. The campaign was also delivered at a time when condom use in New Zealand for anal sex was relatively high compared to elsewhere and HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men was relatively low by international standards (Saxton et al, 2011), and before the use of biomedical HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection (Adams et al, 2019(Adams et al, , 2020.…”