HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Sexual Health in the Light of the Health Belief Model: Meanings Attributed by Users

Abstract

With the improvement of HIV prevention tools, pre-exposure prophylaxis stands out, a care strategy that deserves to be better studied and understood. In this qualitative study, we seek to understand the meanings attributed by PrEP users about HIV prevention and their care for sexual health. Conducted with 19 PrEP users from Porto Alegre, represented by: gay men, other men who have sex with men, Trans people, sex workers, serodiscordant partnerships. The interviews took place between December 2021 and March 2022, using a semi-structured instrument, based on the health beliefs model. It allowed the analysis of prevention behavior, starting from four axes: susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers to prevention. The NVivo program was used for organization and coding. The mean age was 33.1 and there was a predominance of whites, with more than 12 years of schooling, CIS men, homosexuals, MSM. The participants with frequent events without condoms recognized the susceptibility to HIV and there was a consensus that it is a severe condition when left untreated. The benefits of prevention were associated with the perception of a clear conscience, quality of life and the possibility of collectively reducing transmission. However, there is exposure during oral sex, anal sex, and inconsistent condom use. Users know their risks, they are appropriate for prevention, but the search for pleasure is paramount. In conclusion, regardless of the offer of care for HIV control, there is a need to include, in the prevention processes, a dialogue about sexuality and sexual health.