Willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia: findings from a qualitative study

Autor: Clayton Koh Thuan Wei, Adam Bourne, Iskandar Azwa, Bangyuan Wang, Matteo Cassolato, Joselyn Pang, Sin How Lim, Ilias A. Yee, Gitau Mburu
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Adult
Male
Safe Sex
medicine.medical_specialty
Social stigma
Anti-HIV Agents
HIV prevention
Social Stigma
Psychological intervention
HIV Infections
Article
law.invention
Men who have sex with men
Condoms
03 medical and health sciences
Pre-exposure prophylaxis
0302 clinical medicine
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Condom
law
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
MSM
Homosexuality
Male

risk reduction
Qualitative Research
Gynecology
Motivation
030505 public health
business.industry
Public Health
Environmental and Occupational Health

Malaysia
virus diseases
Awareness
Focus Groups
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
medicine.disease
Focus group
PrEP
Infectious Diseases
Sexual Partners
Family medicine
qualitative
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Thematic analysis
0305 other medical science
business
Research Article
Zdroj: Journal of the International AIDS Society
ISSN: 1758-2652
Popis: Background : Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV in Malaysia. Recent success has been observed within demonstration projects examining the efficacy of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an antiretroviral -based medication taken by HIV-negative men to prevent sero-conversion. In order for such promising findings to be translated in real-world settings, it is important to understand the acceptability of PrEP, including perceived barriers to access or uptake. Methods : As part of a larger mixed-methods study exploring acceptability and willingness to use PrEP among MSM in Malaysia, 19 men took part in audio-recorded focus group discussions hosted by a community-based HIV organization and facilitated by a trained researcher. Discussions focussed on awareness and potential information management, general perceptions of PrEP and potential motivations or barriers to the use of PrEP, including those at the personal, social, health system or structural level. Data were transcribed verbatim and underwent a detailed thematic analysis. Results : Rather than perceiving PrEP as a replacement for condoms in terms of having safer sex, many participants viewed it as an additional layer protection, serving as a crucial barrier to infection on occasions where condom use was intended, but did not occur. It was also perceived as more valuable to “at-risk” men, such as those in HIV sero-discordant relationships or those with a higher number of sexual partners. Elements of discussion tended to suggest that some men taking PrEP may be subject to stigma from others, on the assumption they may be promiscuous or engage in high-risk sexual behaviours. Conclusions : This qualitative study indicates that, broadly speaking, PrEP may be acceptable to MSM in Malaysia. However, in order for its potential to be realized, and uptake achieved, educative interventions are required to inform the target population as to the efficacy and potential, positive impact of PrEP. Given concerns for how those taking it may be stigmatized, it is crucial that the use of PrEP is presented as a responsible course of action, and one of a range of strategies that men can use to keep themselves safe from HIV. Keywords MSM; PrEP; qualitative; Malaysia; risk reduction; HIV prevention (Published: 2 August 2017) Bourne A et al. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2017, 20 :21899 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/21899 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.20.1.21899
Databáze: OpenAIRE