Awareness of and barriers to using non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis among male clients of female sex workers in two cities of China: a qualitative study.

Abstract

We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 clients in two Chinese cities in 2018. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. The content of the interviews was analysed using thematic content analysis in ATLAS.ti. Overall, just a minority of participants were aware of nPEP. A majority expressed willingness to use nPEP. Potential barriers to nPEP uptake and adherence included adverse drug reactions, price, concerns of drug efficacy, privacy issues, and forgetting to take the drugs. Almost all participants expressed the need to promote nPEP among clients. Participants suggested that the promotion of nPEP should be at hospitals, online, and be integrated with HIV/AIDS health education. Our findings suggested that nPEP guidelines should be formulated and implementation strategies should be developed to address barriers to uptake and adherence in order to successfully tap into the potential of nPEP as an effective HIV prevention tool.