Navigating Barriers and Opportunities: Perceptions of the Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Continuum Among Young Sexual Minority Men, Aged 17-24, in the United States. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2024 Jun;38(6):267-274
Date
06/12/2024Pubmed ID
38864761Pubmed Central ID
PMC11301707DOI
10.1089/apc.2024.0012Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85197097012 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a public health concern among young sexual minority men (YSMM), ages 17 to 24, in the United States. Biomedical prevention methods, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), can help reduce the risk of HIV transmission among this population. However, there is limited awareness and use of nPEP by YSMM. This study aims to explore the perceptions of YSMM regarding the nPEP care continuum, which consists of three areas of focus: awareness, uptake, and linkage to other HIV prevention services. This study draws on synchronous online focus groups with a sample of 41 YSMM in the United States. Transcripts from the focus groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants reported limited nPEP awareness and prior use, a process of personal appraisal of nPEP need based on HIV risk and costs, and a preference for PrEP over PEP for long-term HIV prevention. Interventions should be tailored to increase awareness of nPEP among YSMM and reduce addressable barriers to nPEP use for YSMM, including cost and confidentiality concerns, in situations where nPEP is warranted. Finally, more research is needed on how nPEP use can act as a bridge to PrEP initiation for this population.
Author List
O'Neil AM, Zapata JP, Dang M, Lopez-Rios J, Quinn KG, John SAAuthors
Madeline Camille Dang BS, MD, MPH Assistant Professor in the Family and Community Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinKatherine Quinn PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAnti-HIV Agents
Continuity of Patient Care
Focus Groups
HIV Infections
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Services Accessibility
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Perception
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Qualitative Research
Sexual and Gender Minorities
United States
Young Adult
