Abstract
BackgroundThe Philippines is experiencing an HIV crisis and is considering implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a national public health strategy for HIV prevention for cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). However, critical information on the awareness of PrEP among cis-MSM is needed to roll out this public health initiative.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess PrEP awareness and related correlates (ie, sociodemographic variables, social factors, and health care access and use) among Filipino cis-MSM.MethodsWe conducted a web-based survey with Filipino cis-MSM (n=179) residing in the cities of Manila and Cebu, Philippines. Multivariable analysis procedures were performed to examine the factors associated with PrEP awareness.ResultsOur sample demonstrated high awareness (134/179, 74.9%) and interest (159/179, 88.8%) in taking PrEP. The adjusted model showed that greater odds of PrEP awareness were associated with having a college education or higher versus a high school education or lower (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.30, 95% CI 1.01-52.47), earning between PHP 10,000 (US $198.6) and PHP 20,000 (US $397.2) versus <PHP 10,000 (US $198.60; aOR 9.32, 95% CI 1.41-6.22), having had a prior HIV test (aOR 6.06, 95% CI 1.20-13.55), having high HIV knowledge (aOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.11-10.98), and having friends who discussed PrEP (aOR 11.17, 95% CI 2.73-14.5).ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that Filipino cis-MSM are aware of and interested in taking PrEP, but there is currently an unmet need for such biomedical HIV prevention technologies among this population. Incorporating PrEP education into routine HIV screening and leveraging cis-MSM social networks may be useful in optimizing potential PrEP implementation in the Philippines.
Highlights
IntroductionBackgroundGlobally, cisgender men (ie, individuals who identify their gender as men and are assigned the male sex at birth) who have sex with men (cis-MSM) remain highly vulnerable to HIV infection [1,2]
BackgroundGlobally, cisgender men who have sex with men remain highly vulnerable to HIV infection [1,2]
Our findings demonstrate that Filipino cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM) are aware of and interested in taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but there is currently an unmet need for such biomedical HIV prevention technologies among this population
Summary
BackgroundGlobally, cisgender men (ie, individuals who identify their gender as men and are assigned the male sex at birth) who have sex with men (cis-MSM) remain highly vulnerable to HIV infection [1,2]. The Philippines, situated in Southeast Asia, is undergoing a major public health crisis as a result of the rapid increase in new HIV cases documented in the past decade. The number of people diagnosed with HIV in the Philippines has increased more than 4-fold, from 16,000 cases in 2010 to 68,000 in 2017 [3] and is concentrated among young, cis-MSM [4]. The major drivers of HIV infection among Filipino cis-MSM include receptive anal intercourse and sex under the influence of alcohol and other substances [5,6]. The Philippines is experiencing an HIV crisis and is considering implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a national public health strategy for HIV prevention for cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). Critical information on the awareness of PrEP among cis-MSM is needed to roll out this public health initiative
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
