Readiness for Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malawi: Qualitative Focus Group and Interview Study

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) are a key group for HIV interventions in Malawi considering their high HIV prevalence (17.5% compared to 8.4% among men in the general population). The use of oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) presents a new opportunity for MSM to be protected. We present the findings from a qualitative assessment designed to assess awareness of and willingness and barriers to using PrEP among MSM in Malawi.ObjectiveThe 3 main objectives of this assessment were to determine: (1) awareness of PrEP, (2) factors that influence willingness to use PrEP, and (3) potential barriers to PrEP use and adherence among MSM in order to guide the design and implementation of a PrEP program in Malawi.MethodsAhead of the introduction of PrEP in Malawi, a qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted in October 2018 in Blantyre, Lilongwe, and rural districts of Mzimba North and Mangochi. With support of members of the population, study participants were purposively recruited from 4 MSM-friendly drop-in centers where MSM receive a range of health services to ensure representativeness across sites and age. Participants were asked what they had heard about PrEP, their willingness to use PrEP, their barriers to PrEP use, and their preferences for service delivery. The data were analyzed using a thematic content analysis framework that was predetermined in line with objectives.ResultsA total of 109 MSM were interviewed—13 through IDIs and 96 through FGDs. Most participants were aware of PrEP as a new HIV intervention but had limited knowledge related to its use. However, the majority were willing to use it and were looking forward to having access to it. IDI participants indicated that they will be more willing to take PrEP if the dosing frequency were appropriate and MSM were involved in information giving and distribution of the drug. FGD participants emphasized that places of distribution and characteristics of the service provider are the key factors that will affect use. Knowing the benefits of PrEP emerged as a key theme in both the IDIs and FGDs. Participants highlighted barriers that would hinder them from taking PrEP such as side effects which were cited in IDIs and FGDs. Key factors from FGDs include cost, fear of being outed, drug stockouts, fear of being known as MSMs by wives, and lack of relevant information. FGDs cited stigma from health care workers, forgetfulness, and community associated factors.ConclusionsDespite having inadequate knowledge about PrEP, study participants were largely willing to use PrEP if available. Programs should include an effective information, education, and communication component around their preferences and provide PrEP in MSM-friendly sites.     

Barriers and facilitators to PrEP for transwomen in Brazil

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an important biomedical intervention that may help reduce the risk of HIV transmission among transwomen. To date, little research is available to inform interventions to increase uptake and adherence to PrEP among transwomen, especially in places outside the U.S. We conducted a qualitative study in 2015 with 34 adult transwomen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and assessed awareness, interest, barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake and adherence for transwomen. Almost one third of participants had heard of PrEP, and most were interested and thought it would be beneficial for transwomen in their community. Barriers to PrEP included fear of being HIV positive resulting in low HIV testing and concerns about the ability to adhere to a daily PrEP regimen. The most prominent barrier to uptake was past experiences of transgender-identity related discrimination in the universal health care system that reduced willingness to seek PrEP or health care in general. Participants recommended technological solutions to PrEP health education information that could address uptake and adherence. This study informs efforts to increase PrEP use among transwomen in Brazil.     

‘I am not a man’: Trans-specific barriers and facilitators to PrEP acceptability among transgender women

ABSTRACT

The frequent conflation of transgender (‘trans’) women with ‘men who have sex with men (MSM)’ in HIV prevention obscures trans women's unique gender identities, social and behavioural vulnerabilities, and their disproportionately high rates of HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an efficacious biomedical HIV prevention approach. However, trans women are underrepresented in PrEP research, and are often aggregated with MSM without consideration for their unique positions within sociocultural contexts. This study examined PrEP acceptability among trans women via three focus groups and nine individual interviews (total N?=?30) in San Francisco. While knowledge of PrEP was low, interest was relatively high once participants were informed. Due to past negative healthcare experiences, ability to obtain PrEP from a trans-competent provider was cited as essential to PrEP uptake and adherence. Participants noted that PrEP could address situations in which trans women experience reduced power to negotiate safer sex, including sex work. Trans-specific barriers included lack of trans-inclusive marketing of PrEP, prioritisation of hormone use, and medical mistrust due to transphobia. Findings underscore the importance of disaggregating trans women from MSM in HIV prevention strategies to mitigate disparate risk among this highly vulnerable population.     

Preferences for Injectable PrEP Among Young U.S. Cisgender Men and Transgender Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men

Young men who have sex with men account for approximately 20% of incident HIV infections in the U.S. Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered as a daily pill has been shown to decrease HIV acquisition in at-risk individuals. New modalities for PrEP are being developed and tested, including injectable PrEP; however, acceptability of these emerging modalities has not yet been examined in youth. We conducted six focus groups with 36 young men and transgender men and women who have sex with men in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles in 2016 to assess interest in and preference for different PrEP modalities. Youth were purposively recruited based on diversity of age, race/ethnicity, and prior PrEP experience. Data were coded using content coding based on key domains of the interview guide, in particular around the central themes of interest in and barriers and facilitators to injectable PrEP use. Participants were knowledgeable about oral PrEP but suggested barriers to broader uptake, including stigma, marginalization, and access to information. While participants were split on preference for injectable versus oral PrEP, they agreed quarterly injections may be more manageable and better for those who have adherence difficulties and for those who engage in sex more frequently. Concerns specific to injectable PrEP included: severity/duration of side effects, pain, level of protection prior to next injection, distrust of medical system and injections, and cost. Understanding barriers to and preferences for diverse prevention modalities will allow for more HIV prevention options, improved products, and better interventions, thus allowing individuals to make informed HIV prevention choices.     

‘WTF is PrEP?’: attitudes towards pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men and transgender women in New York City

In the USA, gay and other men who have sex with men and transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV. Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), anti-retroviral therapy to prevent HIV-negative individuals from seroconverting if exposed to HIV, by members of this population remains low, particularly among African-Americans. We conducted two focus groups to assess responses to an online social media campaign focusing on PrEP use in New York City. We designed, produced and disseminated the campaign to address knowledge of PrEP; its physical and psychological side effects; and psychosocial barriers related to PrEP adherence and sex shaming. Focus group participants demonstrated a relatively high knowledge of PrEP, although considerable concern remained about side effects, particularly among Black participants. Participants suggested that stigma against PrEP users was declining as PrEP use became more common, but stigma remained, particularly for those not using condoms. Many focus group participants reported distrust of medical providers and were critical of the commodification of HIV prevention by the pharmaceutical industry. Participants reported that those in romantic relationships confronted unique issues regarding PrEP, namely suspicions of infidelity. Finally, Black participants spoke of the need for more tailored and sensitive representations of Black gay men in future programmes and interventions.     

Negotiating the use of female-initiated HIV prevention methods in a context of gender-based violence: the narrative of rape

Female-initiated methods of HIV prevention are needed to address barriers to HIV prevention rooted in gender inequalities. Understanding the sociocultural context of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) trials, including gender-based violence, is thus critical. MTN-003C (VOICE-C), a qualitative sub-study of the larger MTN-003 (VOICE) trial, examined sociocultural barriers and facilitators to PrEP amongst women in Johannesburg. We conducted focus-group discussions, in-depth interviews and ethnographic interviews with 102 trial participants, 22 male partners, 17 community advisory board members and 23 community stakeholders. We analysed how discussions of rape are emblematic of the gendered context in which HIV risk occurs. Rape emerged spontaneously in half of discussions with community advisory board members, two-thirds with stakeholders and among one-fifth of interviews/discussions with trial participants. Rape was used to reframe HIV risk as external to women’s or partner’s behaviour and to justify the importance of PrEP. Our research illustrates how women, in contexts of high levels of sexual violence, may use existing gender inequalities to negotiate PrEP use. This suggests that future interventions should simultaneously address harmful gender attitudes, as well as equip women with alternative means to negotiate product use, in order to more effectively empower women to protect themselves from HIV.     

Facilitators and Barriers to Community Acceptance of Safe,Dignified Medical Burials in the Context of an Ebola Epidemic,Sierra Leone, 2014

Sierra Leone was heavily affected by the Ebola epidemic, with over 14,000 total cases. Given that corpses of people who have died from Ebola are highly infectious and given the extremely high risk of Ebola transmission associated with direct contact with bodies of people who have died of Ebola, community acceptance of safe, dignified medical burials was one of the important components of efforts to stop the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. Information on barriers and facilitators for community acceptance of safe, dignified medical burials is limited. A rapid qualitative assessment using focus group discussions (FGDs) explored community knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards safe and dignified burials in seven chiefdoms in Bo District, Sierra Leone. In total, 63 FGDs were conducted among three groups: women >25 years of age, men >25 years of age, and young adults 19–25 years of age. In addition to concerns about breaking cultural traditions, barriers to safe burial acceptance included concerns by family members about being able to view the burial, perceptions that bodies were improperly handled, and fear that stigma may occur if a family member receives a safe, dignified medical burial. Participants suggested that providing opportunities for community members to participate in safe and dignified burials would improve community acceptance.     

Primary Care Physician Attitudes and Intentions Toward the Use of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Adolescents in One Metropolitan Region

Purpose

Understanding the attitudes of physicians toward the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among youth is critical to improving access to PrEP. We examined PrEP-related attitudes among physicians who provide primary care to 13- to 21-year-old adolescents.

Knowledge and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Northeastern Brazil

Few studies evaluate knowledge and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in middle-income countries. Brazil added PrEP to public drug formularies in December 2017, but little is known about local knowledge and attitudes about PrEP among MSM outside metropolitan areas in Southern Brazil. The cross-sectional HIV Surveillance Survey Project in Brazil estimates HIV and STD prevalence among MSM in 12 state capitals. Among 32 participants at the Salvador, Bahia study site, we used qualitative interviews to assess knowledge, willingness, and barriers to PrEP use among MSM; few MSM had previous knowledge of PrEP and were willing to use PrEP. Clinical, behavioural, social, and structural factors influencing participants’ knowledge and willingness to take PrEP included concerns about efficacy and side effects, access to culturally congruent services for MSM, and stigma. Some participants reported that learning about PrEP online positively influenced their willingness to use PrEP. Participants’ opinions about PrEP’s contribution to risk compensation varied. Interventions to provide culturally congruent care and destigmatise PrEP for MSM at high risk for HIV acquisition, particularly those conducted collaboratively with Brazil’s civil society movement, may enhance the public health effort to expand access to PrEP in Brazil.     

Capacity of AIDS service organisations in Connecticut to respond to intimate partner violence

Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent among women living with HIV and negatively impacts their health, few studies have examined the ability of AIDS service organisations (ASOs) to address IPV. This study used a qualitative approach to identify facilitators of and barriers to addressing IPV in female clients of ASOs in the United States. In‐depth interviews were conducted between March and August 2011 with 20 ASO staff members and 19 female clients who reported a current or past history of IPV. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using the constant comparative method. These data identify barriers to addressing IPV at the organisation, provider and client levels, and include suggestions from both clients and providers about improving access to care. Client and provider suggestions differed in some areas. While providers emphasised structural changes such as increased training on IPV provided by their organisation, clients highlighted the importance of trusting personal relationships with staff to increase client disclosure of IPV experiences. Given the differing opinions of clients and staff, ASOs should consider involving women with histories of IPV in the process of programme and policy development. ASOs have the unique opportunity to provide comprehensive and holistic care by addressing IPV. The extent to which ASOs are able to recognise and address IPV and strategies for increasing this ability warrant greater attention from funders, ASO administrators and researchers.     

“Far More than Just a Prescription”: Focus Groups With U.S. Family Planning Providers and Staff About Integrating PrEP for HIV Prevention Into Their Work

BackgroundCisgender women in the United States use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention at lower rates relative to other groups. Advocacy groups and patients identify family planning clinics as the preferred sites to lead PrEP implementation for women in the United States. However, limited qualitative exploration exists of U.S. family planning practitioners’ attitudes toward integrating PrEP into their work.MethodsWe conducted qualitative focus groups with a convenience sample of family planning clinicians, counselors, and clinic managers to explore barriers and facilitators to PrEP provision in U.S. family planning clinics.ResultsWe conducted six focus groups (total participants = 37) with respondents who worked in family planning clinics in San Francisco, California; Kansas City, Missouri; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Key themes emerged highlighting how PrEP at times runs contrary to other family planning agendas, including efficient clinic visits, condom promotion, and long-acting reversible contraception counseling. Throughout these discussions, participants expressed discomfort with HIV vulnerabilities rooted in social and structural determinants of health.ConclusionsFindings suggest that those seeking to implement PrEP for U.S. cisgender women may benefit from exploring 1) how to integrate patient/provider conversations about the structural determinants of health and their relationship to HIV and other sexual and reproductive health outcomes and 2) how to foster person-centered prevention conversations in the context of busy family planning visits.     

A qualitative analysis of multi-level barriers to HIV testing among women in Lebanon

Abstract

While the number of HIV cases in the Middle East and North Africa region is low compared to other regions, recent studies show that incidence is increasing especially among high-risk populations; in particular, little is known about women and HIV in the region. Through semi-structured interviews with sexual healthcare providers and staff at non-governmental organisations, we sought to understand barriers to HIV testing among women in Lebanon. Using snowball sampling, key informants were recruited from greater Beirut (12 physicians, 9 non-governmental organisation staff). Data were analysed using a grounded theory framework. Findings identified barriers to HIV testing among women at each level of an adapted social-ecological model (i.e. social-cultural barriers, policy barriers, interpersonal healthcare provider barriers and intrapersonal barriers). Primary findings include the culture of sex as taboo; lack of sexual health education among women; fear of disclosing HIV testing and diagnosis; financial barriers linked to stigmatising insurance policies; and provider attitudes towards women. Findings can be used to inform HIV-related sexual health interventions at multiple levels for women in Lebanon and the greater region.     

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Low-Income Women Considered High Priority for Receiving the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine

The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of low-income women considered high priority for receiving the novel influenza A (H1N1) vaccine to improve communication in emergency preparedness and response. Researchers sought to identify the factors that affect this high priority population’s ability to successfully comply with vaccination recommendations. By utilizing an existing communication framework through the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) they were able to document the systems and infrastructure needed to foster constructive responses in a sustainable manner in the future. Six focus group discussions with WIC clients (n = 56) and 10 individual interviews with staff members were conducted at two WIC clinics in Georgia (1 urban and 1 rural). Data were collected after the 2009–2010 influenza season and analyzed using thematic analysis. Knowledge and attitudes regarding H1N1 differed among participants with regard to perceived severity and perceived risk of influenza illness. Participants identified several barriers and motivators to receiving the vaccination, as well as information needs, sources, and information-seeking behaviors. Similarities emerged among both WIC clients and staff members regarding impressions of H1N1 and the vaccine’s use, suggesting that while the information may be provided, it is not effectively understood or accepted. Comprehensive education, policy and planning development regarding pandemic influenza and vaccine acceptance among low-income women is necessary, including improvements in risk communication messages and identifying effective methods to disseminate trusted information to these high priority groups.     

男男性行为人群HIV暴露前预防需求与使用障碍研究

目的 了解MSM对HIV暴露前预防（PrEP）的实际需求及阻碍其使用的相关因素。方法 通过同性社交Blued 6.5.0软件、MSM同伴推荐等方法招募MSM为调查对象，估算样本量600人。利用"问卷星"平台，在调查员的指导下进行匿名电子问卷调查，调查内容包括一般情况、PrEP相关知识和使用意愿与顾虑、PrEP实际需求及PrEP使用自我效能等。结果 共调查622名MSM，知晓和曾使用过PrEP的比例分别为56.4%（351/622）和4.3%（27/622）；67.2%（418/622）有PrEP实际需求，PrEP使用自我效能良好的为21.2%（132/622）。结构方程模型分析结果显示，PrEP相关知识和使用顾虑对PrEP使用自我效能发挥直接正向作用，效应系数分别为0.08和0.13，自我歧视是由于PrEP使用顾虑而间接影响PrEP使用自我效能，效应系数为0.035；广义线性混合模型分析结果表明，曾使用过PrEP可增加使用自我效能（OR=5.55）；PrEP相关知识和使用顾虑每增加1分，PrEP使用自我效能分别增加0.14倍和0.07倍。担心药物副作用、预防效果和费用者分别占61.1%（380/622）、60.1%（374/622）和53.2%（331/622）；期望获取PrEP服务途径主要为CDC（75.6%，470/622）、MSM社会组织（65.4%，407/622）和互联网（63.8%，397/622）。结论 MSM对PrEP呈现高需求与低使用的较大差距，PrEP相关知识缺乏、自我歧视、对药物预防效果、副作用及费用的顾虑是阻碍MSM使用PrEP的因素，故需要建立适合MSM特点的PrEP服务模式，以满足MSM对PrEP干预的需求。     

Considerable interest in pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among men who have sex with men recruited from a popular geosocial-networking smartphone application in London

Men who have sex with men (MSM) who use smartphone applications (apps) to meet sexual partners represent a high-risk subset of MSM. As such, the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may be highly suitable. The purpose of the study was to evaluate awareness of and willingness to use PrEP among 179 HIV-uninfected MSM recruited in London who use these apps. Regression models were fit to assess the associations between perceived barriers and willingness to use PrEP in the future. Most (84.9%) had heard of PrEP and more than half (57.1%) were willing to use PrEP in the future if it were to become available. Low perceived risk for acquiring HIV (prevalence ratio (PR): 0.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04, 0.33) and concerns about PrEP-related side effects (PR: 0.01; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.04) were associated with being unwilling to use PrEP. Efforts to make PrEP widely available should be continued. Uptake interventions should focus on correcting self-perceptions of HIV risk and educate MSM about the potential side effects of PrEP use so that MSM can make more informed decisions about prevention options.     

我国24个城市男男性行为者HIV暴露前预防用药现状及相关因素分析

目的了解我国MSM对HIV暴露前预防(PrEP)的认知和用药现状及影响因素。方法 2021年8月25日至9月5日通过男性社交平台Blued 7.5软件在我国24个城市招募MSM 2 447人参与线上问卷调查, 调查内容包括社会人口学、PrEP知晓和用药与高危性行为等信息。采用三分类二水平logistic回归分析MSM的PrEP用药相关因素。采用SPSS 24.0和SAS 9.4软件进行统计学分析。结果在MSM研究对象2 447人中, 听说过PrEP者1 712人(69.96%), 曾用药者437人(17.86%), 正在用药者274人(11.20%), 停用者163人(6.66%);437人曾用药者多数采用了按需用药方式, 用药方案采用替诺福韦+恩曲他滨的占61.88%(388/627), 人均用量为1.12片/周, 获取药物以互联网为主, 选择药物更关注PrEP用药的预防效果;163人停药最常见原因是认为没有HIV感染的风险。logistic回归分析结果显示, MSM中PrEP用药与年龄、月均收入、最近1年发生无保护肛交、最近1年使用助性剂和被诊断出患有性病等因素存在统计学关联, 其...     

Barriers to and facilitators for female participation in an HIV prevention project in Rural Ethiopia: Findings from a qualitative evaluation

Ethiopian women face complex social and cultural factors that influence their probability of HIV infection. HIV prevention efforts among this population are particularly important; however, female participation in a rural, HIV prevention project has been minimal. This programme evaluation investigated barriers and facilitators influencing women's ability to participate in project activities. Evaluation data were collected through nine focus groups and 20 semi‐structured interviews, which were conducted between October and November 2003. The main themes found to negatively influence women's decisions to participate in this HIV prevention activity included: domestic workloads, lack of education and awareness, and cultural norms that have discouraged discussions about HIV and sexuality. Domestic chores, which are labour intensive and limit time and energy, were found to be the primary barrier to participation among women. Respondents also indicated that female illiteracy and limited educational attainment occur within a social context that traditionally supports education for men but discourages formal knowledge among women, including HIV prevention. Lack of education and inability to freely discuss sexuality denies women access to health information, potentially exposing women to adverse consequences such as HIV infection. Identified facilitators of participation included a radio serial drama and the one female peer educator associated with the project.     

Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Participation of Male-to-Female Transgender Persons in Preventive HIV Vaccine Clinical Trials

Observed seroincidence and prevalence rates in male-to-female (MTF) transgender individuals highlight the need for effective targeted HIV prevention strategies for this community. In order to develop an effective vaccine that can be used by transgender women, researchers must understand and address existing structural issues that present barriers to this group’s participation in HIV vaccine clinical trials. Overcoming barriers to participation is important for ensuring HIV vaccine acceptability and efficacy for the MTF transgender community. To explore barriers and facilitators to MTF transgender participation in preventive HIV vaccine clinical trials, the HIV Vaccine Trials Network conducted focus groups among transgender women in four urban areas (Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco). Barriers and facilitators to engagement of transgender women in preventive HIV vaccine clinical trials led to the following recommendations: (a) transgender cultural competency training, (b) creating trans-friendly environments, (c) true partnerships with local trans-friendly organizations and health care providers, (d) protocols that focus on transgender specific issues, and (e) data collection and tracking of transgender individuals. These results have implications for the conduct of HIV vaccine trials, as well as engagement of transgender women in research programs in general.