Sources of Information about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Associations with PrEP Stigma, Intentions, Provider Discussions, and Use in the United States

ABSTRACT

The amount and type of information individuals receive about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may influence PrEP uptake. We surveyed 331 HIV-negative sexual and gender minorities who have sex with men at a Midwestern Pride festival in 2018 (M_age = 32, 68% White, 87% cisgender men) to assess sources and perceived tone of PrEP information and associated outcomes. Most participants (88%) had heard about PrEP. The most common sources were the internet (70%), social media (59%), and friends (54%). Messages from health campaigns were perceived as most positive and those from religious institutions as least positive. Sources differed based on demographics. Controlling for indications for PrEP use, those who heard about PrEP from health campaigns and those who heard more positive messages reported lower levels of PrEP stigma, βs = −0.27––0.23, ps < .05. Non-users who heard about PrEP from the internet had stronger intentions to use PrEP, β = 0.28, p < .05. Those who heard about PrEP from sexual partners and health campaigns were more likely to discuss PrEP with providers, PRs = 1.60–1.80, ps < .01. Finally, those who heard about PrEP from friends and partners were more likely to use PrEP, PRs = 2.01–2.24, ps < .05. Leveraging sexual partners, social network members, and health campaigns are promising avenues to advance PrEP implementation.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

The data collected in this study were fully anonymous. Due to the low-risk nature of the study, participants received an informational letter describing the study, and completion of the survey constituted consent.

Authors’ Contributions

JLW devised the research questions, coordinated and supervised data collection, performed data analysis, and wrote the first draft of the article. MZ assisted in data collection and processing. MZ, SAJ, and KGQ contributed to writing and editing the article. All authors approved the final article as submitted.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by National Institutes of Health grants 5P30-MH052776, T32-MH019985, and K01-MH118939.