Perspectives and Factors Related to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Study on the Role of History of PrEP Use

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2024 Nov-Dec;35(6):530-543. doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000489. Epub 2024 Aug 29.

Abstract

This study quantitatively examined factors related to young men who have sex with men (YMSM)'s decisions to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by their history of PrEP use and qualitatively elicited their perspectives on PrEP options. Higher proportions of YMSM who had never used (vs. ever used) PrEP considered the following factors as important in their decisions to use PrEP: (a) Returning to PrEP follow-up visits ( p = .02), (b) having to talk about sex/PrEP with providers ( p = .013), (c) people assuming they are infected with HIV ( p = .021), (d) family finding out about their PrEP use ( p = .001), and (e) friends finding out about their PrEP use ( p = .008). Through inductive content analysis, qualitative data showed that a higher proportion of YMSM who had never used PrEP (vs. ever used) expressed concerns about HIV stigma from nonaffirming health care providers and the potential risk of inadvertently revealing their LGBTQ+ identity to others, which were described as potential barriers to PrEP use. Overall, our findings suggest that future interventions may consider tailoring PrEP messaging to YMSM's history of PrEP use, which may ultimately increase PrEP uptake and adherence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Homosexuality, Male* / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Male* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Qualitative Research*
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities / psychology
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities / statistics & numerical data
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents