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D’Avanzo P, Shourya S, Brin M, Kaw S, Kay E, Batey DS, Radix A, Belkind U, Tanner M, Galindo C, Ferrara S, Ott C, Ramirez SO, Schnall R. Identifying Key Factors to PrEP Initiation and Persistence Among YMSM Through Focus Groups and Surveys in Two High-Priority Settings. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2024; 36:33-47. [PMID: 38349352 PMCID: PMC11034730 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2024.36.1.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Cisgender men are diagnosed with HIV at a rate four times greater than cisgender women, with 71% of infections attributed to male-male sexual contact. Despite expanding accessibility, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is initiated by only 30% of people with PrEP indications. Five focus groups with 42 young men who have sex with men from New York and Alabama were conducted to identify key factors to PrEP initiation and persistence. Thirty focus group participants completed a survey on demographics, PrEP choices and health care attitudes. Findings suggest provider competency significantly influences PrEP use due to stigmatization in medical settings. Participants noted benefits of PrEP including HIV protection and sexual empowerment, yet barriers like cost and side effects were prevalent. Our findings outline barriers and facilitators to PrEP use among young men who have sex with men in two high priority settings that will inform PrEP care updates in participating clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D’Avanzo
- Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Shivesh Shourya
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 516 W. 168 Street, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Maeve Brin
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 516 W. 168 Street, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Shivani Kaw
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 516 W. 168 Street, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Emma Kay
- Magic City Wellness Center, 3220 5 Avenue South, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL, 35222
| | - D. Scott Batey
- Tulane University School of Social Work, 127 Elk Place, New Orleans, LA, 70112
| | - Asa Radix
- Callen-Lorde, 356 W. 18 Street, New York, NY, 10011
| | - Uri Belkind
- Callen-Lorde, 356 W. 18 Street, New York, NY, 10011
| | - Mary Tanner
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30329
| | - Carla Galindo
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30329
| | - Stephen Ferrara
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 516 W. 168 Street, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Corilyn Ott
- University of Birmingham at Alabama, School of Nursing and School of Medicine, 1701 University Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | | | - Rebecca Schnall
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 516 W. 168 Street, New York, NY, 10032
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