P19.04
Background: There has been much debate about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Gay men involved in HIV-related work are more likely than many other stakeholders to know about PrEP and to have formed opinions about it.
Methods: In June 2013, 60 HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men involved in HIV-related work were asked to complete a brief, informal, anonymous online survey on their opinions about PrEP. 17 HIV-negative men and 13 HIV-positive men responded to the 3 open-ended questions:
1) Can you ever imagine a time your life—past, present or future—when you might have considered using PrEP if it was available? Why? Why not?
2) Given the situation around HIV in your community today, what is your biggest concern about PrEP?
3) Given the situation around HIV in your community today, what is your biggest hope for PrEP?
Results: In response to the question about using PrEP themselves, HIV+ gay men were evenly split: half thought they would have used PrEP if it had been available when they were negative, and half thought they would not have used it. Most of the men who would not have used it mentioned lack of consciousness about their own HIV risk and lack of awareness of HIV prevention as the main reasons. In contrast, the vast majority of HIV- men could imagine a time when they would consider using PrEP. Both HIV+ and HIV- men were generally in agreement about their hopes and concerns about PrEP. Likewise, similar themes emerged for both hopes and concerns, including: access, prioritizing and reinvigorating prevention efforts, identifying good PrEP candidates and supporting them, risk compensation, stigma, drug resistance, side effects, efficacy levels, medicalization of gay men, and desire for certain types of sex.
Conclusions: Many gay men involved in HIV-related work can see themselves as potential PrEP users. Based on their experience, lack of self-awareness about risk and prevention options may be a significant barrier. Both HIV+ and HIV- gay men express remarkably similar hopes and concerns about PrEP.
