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. 2022 May 1;49(5):343-352.
doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001599. Epub 2022 Jan 10.

Factors Associated With the Intention to Use HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis for Young and Older Men Who Have Sex With Men

Sebastiaan H Hulstein  1 , Hanne M L Zimmermann  1 , Feline de la Court  1 , Amy A Matser, Maarten F Schim van der Loeff, Elske Hoornenborg  1 , Udi Davidovich  1 , Maria Prins, Henry J C de Vries
Affiliations

Factors Associated With the Intention to Use HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis for Young and Older Men Who Have Sex With Men

Sebastiaan H Hulstein et al. Sex Transm Dis. .

Abstract

Background: The uptake of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV is low among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands. Studying the intention to use PrEP among non-PrEP using young and older MSM can guide health authorities in developing new prevention campaigns to optimize PrEP uptake.

Methods: We investigated the sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors associated with a high PrEP use intention in the coming 6 months among 93 young MSM (aged ≤25 years), participating in an online survey, and 290 older MSM (aged ≥26 years), participating in an open, prospective cohort in 2019 to 2020.

Results: Perceiving PrEP as an important prevention tool was associated with a high PrEP use intention among young and older MSM. Among young MSM, a high level of PrEP knowledge and believing that PrEP users take good care of themselves and others were associated with a high PrEP use intention. Among older MSM, 2 or more anal sex partners, chemsex, high HIV risk perception, and believing PrEP increases sexual pleasure were associated with a high PrEP use intention. Believing PrEP leads to adverse effects was associated with a low intention to use PrEP among older MSM.

Conclusions: To conclude, we showed that both behavioral and psychosocial factors were associated with a high PrEP use intention among young and older MSM. In addition to focusing on sexual behavior and HIV risk, future prevention campaigns and counseling on PrEP could incorporate education, endorsing positive beliefs, and disarming negative beliefs to improve the uptake of PrEP in young and older MSM.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest and Sources of Funding: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of selection procedure of YMSM and older MSM. A, 138 YMSM did not complete the questionnaire after starting it. B, MSM who did not meet the inclusion criteria were not allowed to complete the questionnaire beyond the first page, and consequently, no data were saved. MSM, men who have sex with men; YMSM, young MSM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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