“Why You Putting This Drug in Your Body to Fight off Something that You Don’t Have?” Perceptions About PrEP Use Among Black and Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men in the U.S. South

ABSTRACT

PrEP use has steadily increased since its introduction, yet uptake remains slow among MSM of color in the U.S. South. Findings presented are from a qualitative study conducted in 2016 exploring factors related to remaining HIV negative among Black (n = 99) and Latino (n = 51) MSM in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Jackson, and Miami. One-hour in-depth interviews were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. MSM perceived PrEP as providing relief from fear and as an insurance policy against HIV infection but were likely to consider themselves at low risk for HIV. Identified factors influencing PrEP use included side effects, medical mistrust, and stigma. Cost and access were not seen as major barriers. Findings suggest MSM of color in the South may view PrEP as too risky for their HIV prevention needs. PrEP providers can address medical mistrust, discuss side effects, and emphasize positive aspects of PrEP use to increase uptake. (150 words)

KEYWORDS:

• PrEP
• Black/African American MSM
• Latino MSM
• HIV prevention
• US South
• PrEP barriers
• PrEP uptake

Acknowledgments

We wish to sincerely thank all our study participants. We thank numerous colleagues at the CDC, our Emory community advisory board members, and our local study partners who helped recruit eligible respondents. Without your tireless effort, none of our work would be possible.

We acknowledge the significant contribution of our Pulse Study Team members throughout recruitment and data collection for this study: Alisu Schoua-Glusberg and Katherine Kenward from Research Support Services, Inc.; Paula Frew and Laura Randall from Emory University; and Elizabeth Gall and Valerie Bentley from IMPAQ International, Inc.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Disclosure statement

There are no relevant financial or non-financial competing interests to report for the authors. Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under contract number [200-2013-57341/0002], awarded to Research Support Services, Inc.