“Little Tablets of Gold”: An Examination of the Psychological and Social Dimensions of PrEP Among LGBTQ Communities

Abstract

There are significant psychological, social, and cultural dimensions to the HIV epidemic in the United States, especially among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities. Biomedical HIV treatment has been shown to impact these dimensions. However, there is little understanding of the real-world psychosocial and sociocultural effects of the latest biomedical HIV prevention strategy, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This study explored the psychosocial and sociocultural dimensions of PrEP use among LGBTQ adults. We interviewed 23 LGBTQ adults who were current or former users of PrEP. Results included that PrEP users' experiences were shaped by multiple forms of stigma. Participants were highly motivated to challenge PrEP stigma and to support PrEP use among other community members.Lastly, participants described positive impacts on their individual well-being and their sexual partnerships. Findings suggest that PrEP has significant impacts beyond biomedical outcomes for both the individuals who use PrEP and their communities.

Acceptability of daily pre-exposure prophylaxis among adolescent men who have sex with men, travestis and transgender women in Brazil: A qualitative study

“…On the one hand, similar to other studies [ 38 ], the prophylaxis is perceived as a collective benefit for the LGBT population, which over and over again is the target of stigma, discrimination and frequently considered as “responsible” for the HIV epidemic. In this regard, PrEP is affirmative as a right to health and also as freedom from gender- and sexuality-based discrimination.…”

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Sexual Health Risk in an Age of Sexually Transmitted Infection Antimicrobial Resistance

“…The increase in CAI and STI risk due to PrEP may be more nuanced and complex than a direct link. 13 , 16 ,31s As bacterial STI diagnoses rise, more infections will be treated, but potentially increasing the likelihood that untreatable resistant gonorrhea will circulate in the population and reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics over time. This is particularly pertinent for gonorrhea currently.…”

The social meanings of PrEP use – A mixed‐method study of PrEP use disclosure in Antwerp and Amsterdam

“…But also PrEP users themselves, in particular early adopters, may have been instrumental in normalising PrEP within MSM communities. This is evidenced by interviewees who actively disclosed PrEP use to others to inform them about its existence, or counter‐acted negative reactions, as found in other qualitative studies (Brooks et al, 2019a; Card et al, 2019; Sun et al, 2019). A similar recent study in the USA also documented that widespread use and disclosure of PrEP had normalised it into an everyday practice, while early adopters actively promoted PrEP use to peers and combated stigma (Gómez et al, 2020).…”