Knowledge of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Denver, Colorado

Abstract

As part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Denver, Colorado, we assessed knowledge of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); willingness to use PrEP; and potential changes in risk behaviors among HIV-negative participants reporting sexual activity with a male partner in the preceding 12 months. We examined knowledge of PrEP before (2008) and after (2011) results of the iPrEx trial were available. Of the 425 participants in the 2008 sample, 91 (21 %) were aware of PrEP compared to 131 (28 %) of the 461 participants in the 2011 sample (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.43, 95 % confidence interval: 1.18, 1.72). Despite the increase in 2011, few MSM in Denver were aware of PrEP. Educating high-risk MSM about the potential utility of PrEP as an adjunct to other effective prevention methods is needed when considering the addition of PrEP to the HIV prevention arsenal.

Towards preparedness for PrEP: PrEP awareness and acceptability among MSM at high risk of HIV transmission who use sociosexual media in four Celtic nations: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland: an online survey

“…Levels of PrEP awareness among high-risk MSM in the four Celtic nations were somewhat higher than the 11%–23% reported among the wider population of MSM8 9 though similar to more recently published work in western countries12 15–17 reiterating the expected increase over time already documented 16. Although substantial variation within countries has been observed (eg, Thailand 66%,18 7%10; China 11%,19 22%20) the almost twofold difference between RoI and NI suggests investigation of local health promotion initiatives into new HIV prevention technologies is warranted.…”

Preferences for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Information Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) at Community Outreach Settings

“…S. Krakower, 2012; Mimiaga, 2009; Tripathi, Whiteside, & Duffus, 2013). Possible reasons for low utilization among this higher HIV-risk population include little knowledge about PrEP (Al-Tayyib, Thrun, Haukoos, & Walls, 2014; Galindo, 2012; D. S. Krakower, 2012; Mehta et al, 2011; Rucinski, 2013), barriers to its acquisition and utilization (e.g., costs; concerns about adverse effects, medication use for HIV prevention, or toxicity; concerns about risk compensation; lack of access to healthcare or providers who prescribe PrEP; fears about asking for PrEP; healthcare provider concerns, lack of knowledge, or reluctance to prescribe PrEP) (Bauermeister, Meanley, Pingel, Soler, & Harper, 2013; Brooks et al, 2011; Brooks et al, 2012; Eaton et al, 2014; Golub, Gamarel, Rendina, Surace, & Lelutiu-Weinberger, 2013; Karris, Beekmann, Mehta, Anderson, & Polgreen, 2014; King et al, 2014; D.…”

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

“…18,19 In order to increase uptake of PrEP, it is critical that we focus attention on how PrEP is being embraced by populations at-risk for HIV. Our understanding of community perspectives of PrEP suggests that there are multiple limitations to accessing it, 10,11,[20][21][22][23][24] and that populations in need might not be receiving information about PrEP. 25 We must also acknowledge that those who are at greatest risk for HIV may be least likely to be aware of its availability or have the means to access it.…”