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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
  1. Jamie S Frankis1,
  2. Ingrid Young2,
  3. Karen Lorimer1,
  4. Mark Davis3,
  5. Paul Flowers1
  1. 1School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
  2. 2MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
  3. 3School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jamie S Frankis, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 OBA, UK; j.frankis{at}gcu.ac.uk

Abstract

Objective To assess the awareness and acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and use sociosexual media at high risk of HIV infection in four Celtic nations.

Design Cross-sectional study.

Methods Online self-complete survey of 386 HIV-negative/status unknown MSM who reported condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with ≥2 men in the last year, recruited from gay sociosexual media.

Results One-third (34.5%, 132/386) of the participants were aware of PrEP but over half (58.5%, 226/356) reported that they would be willing to use PrEP if it were available to them. Only men who regularly tested for HIV every 6 months (adjusted OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.54 to 5.42) were more likely to be aware of PrEP. PrEP acceptability was only associated with reporting ≥5 CAI partners (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.46) in the last year.

Conclusions Low levels of PrEP awareness were reported across these Celtic nations. Only one-third of high-risk MSM had heard of PrEP but over one-half would be willing to take a daily pill to prevent HIV infection. Sociodemographic factors, commercial gay scene proximity and social network use were unrelated to considering PrEP use. However, those reporting most CAI partners were more likely to consider PrEP use.

  • SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
  • SEXUAL HEALTH
  • HEALTH PROMOTION
  • PROPHYLAXIS
  • GAY MEN

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