Work

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards PrEP from Cisgender Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men in the Largest Suburban HIV Epidemic

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based study to assess attitudes and experiences with HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) amongst a multiracial cohort of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women in Long Island, New York. Participants were recruited through clinical providers and community-based organizations. The survey assessed knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP and factors that facilitate willingness to take it. Of the 189 respondents, most participants were Latinx/Hispanic (57.1%; n = 105), gay-identifying (81.2%; n = 151), and cisgender men (88.7%; n = 165). One in five participants completed high school or lower (19.4%; n = 36). Among those who had never used PrEP (53.4%; n = 101), nearly all participants were willing to use it if it were free or covered as part of their insurance (89.4%; n = 84). The most common barriers to not using PrEP was not knowing where to obtain it (68.3%; n = 69), concerns about side effects (42.1%; n = 35), and concerns about affordability (38.5%; n = 25). This study discusses specific nuances to the suburbs, including cultural norms and structural barriers that should be incorporated in health promotion initiatives in addressing these factors.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811640

Authors: Andrew Spieldenner, Anthony J. Santella, Spring C. Cooper, Kathleen Rosales, William C. Goedel, Heidi E. Jones

Institutions: California State University, San Marcos, Fairfield University, City University of New York, Brown University

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,618