Awareness, knowledge, use, willingness to use and need of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) during World Gay Pride 2017.

Carlos Iniesta,Jorge Del Romero,María José Fuster-Ruiz De Apocada,Ferran Pujol,Jorge Garrido,Julia Del Amo,Santiago Moreno,Pep Coll,Asunción Díaz,Antonio Antela,Juanse Hernández,Luis Miguel García-Sousa,Nieves Sanz,Débora Álvarez-Del Arco,Michael Meulbroek,Oskar Ayerdi,Belén Alejos,Melchor Riera,Viviane D Lima

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204738

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the awareness, knowledge, use, and willingness to use and need of PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) who attended World Gay Pride (WGP) 2017 in Madrid.Design and methodsOnline survey. Participants were recruited through gay-oriented dating apps and HIV Non-Governmental Organizations´ social media. Inclusion criteria included being MSM or TW, age 18 years old or above, and having attended WGP in Madrid. Information regarding the participant’s awareness and knowledge, use or willingness to use, and need for PrEP was collected, as well as sociodemographic characteristics. Participants were considered to be in need of PrEP if they met one of the following indication criteria: having practiced unprotected anal intercourse with more than 2 partners, having practiced chemsex, or having engaged in commercial sex—all in the preceding 6 months. Descriptive and multivariable analyses with logistic regression were conducted.Results472 participants met the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 38, 97.7% were MSM, 77% had a university education, and 85% were living in Spain, mostly in big cities. Overall, 64% of participants were aware of PrEP, but only 33% knew correctly what PrEP was. 67% of HIV-negative participants were willing to take PrEP, although only 5% were taking it during WGP, mostly due to lack of access. 43% of HIV-negative respondents met at least one PrEP indication criteria. For HIV-negative men living in Spain, university education and living in big cities was associated with PrEP awareness. Lower education level and meeting PrEP criteria was associated with willingness to use PrEP.ConclusionsOur study shows that among MSM attending WGP 2017 in Madrid, there was limited PrEP awareness, low accuracy of PrEP knowledge, and a high need and willingness to use PrEP. Health authorities should strengthen existing preventive strategies and implement PrEP.

Highlights

Transmitted HIV remains an important public health issue in Spain
The mean age was 38, 97.7% were men who have sex with men (MSM), 77% had a university education, and 85% were living in Spain, mostly in big cities
64% of participants were aware of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), but only 33% knew correctly what PrEP was. 67% of HIV-negative participants were willing to take PrEP, only 5% were taking it during World Gay Pride (WGP), mostly due to lack of access. 43% of HIV-negative

Summary

Design and methods

Participants were recruited through gay-oriented dating apps and HIV NonGovernmental Organizationssocial media. Inclusion criteria included being MSM or TW, age 18 years old or above, and having attended WGP in Madrid. Information regarding the participant’s awareness and knowledge, use or willingness to use, and need for PrEP was collected, as well as sociodemographic characteristics. Participants were considered to be in need of PrEP if they met one of the following indication criteria: having practiced unprotected anal intercourse with more than 2 partners, having practiced chemsex, or having engaged in commercial sex—all in the preceding 6 months. Descriptive and multivariable analyses with logistic regression were conducted

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Design of the questionnaire

Discussion