Characterizing the Communication Networks of Spanish- and English-Speaking Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Their Roles in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake

Abstract

While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated efficacy in preventing HIV transmission, disparities in access persist in the United States, especially among Hispanic/Latinx sexual minority men (SMM). Language barriers and differences in how Latinx SMM obtain information may impact access to PrEP and HIV prevention. This study used data from the 2021 American Men’s Internet Survey (AMIS) to examine differences in communication networks and PrEP use among Latinx SMM by primary language (Spanish vs. English). We examined the associations between Latinx SMM’s individual- and meso-level communication networks and PrEP-related outcomes using modified Poisson regression with robust variances. Spanish-speaking Latinx SMM in the study were less likely to test for HIV, be aware of PrEP, and use daily PrEP, compared to English-speaking participants. Sexuality disclosure to a healthcare provider was positively associated with PrEP uptake among all participants and predicted STI testing over the past 12 months among English-speaking Latinx SMM. Findings highlight disparities in PrEP awareness and uptake among Latinx SMM, especially among those whose primary language is Spanish. Addressing these disparities through targeted interventions, including improved communication with healthcare providers, may help facilitate PrEP access and use in this population.

Acknowledgments

Data used in this study were derived from the American Men’s Internet Survey conducted by PRISM Health at Emory University.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The data used in this study were completely derived from the American Men’s Internet Survey conducted by PRISM Health at Emory University and are available by request.

Consent to Participate

All participants provided informed consent that was consistent with the IRB-approved protocol.

Code Availability

Code is available upon request. Please contact the corresponding author.

Ethics Approval

The study was conducted in compliance with federal regulations governing protection of human subjects. Institutional Review Board approval for AMIS was obtained from Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2024.2366498

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded in part by a developmental grant from the University of Washington/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research, an NIH funded program under award number AI027757 which is supported by the following NIH Institutes and Centers: NIAID, NCI, NIMH, NIDA, NICHD, NHLBI, NIA, NIGMS, NIDDK. AMIS survey data were collected with financial support from the Emory Center for AIDS Research (P30AI050409). SMG was supported by the University of Washington Behavioral Research Center for HIV (BIRCH), a NIMH-funded program (P30 MH123248).