Abstract
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has been promoted among high-risk populations as an effective HIV biomedical intervention. However, limited research is available on the significance of culturally informed biomedical interventions for Latino MSM. A total of 159 self-administered Internet surveys were completed by Latino MSM ages 21–30 in San Antonio, Texas. The purpose of this research was to develop an instrument that measured Latino MSM attitudes and beliefs towards PrEP, identify associations between demographic factors and PrEP related factors and to suggest culturally appropriate strategies for the promotion of PrEP among the Latino MSM population. Research findings revealed implications for PrEP at the structural and individual level for Latino MSM. Structural level indicators emphasized the importance for raising PrEP awareness among Latino MSM in regards to PrEP related expenses, ameliorating stigmatization of high-risk populations, enhancing access to PrEP informed medical providers, and address mistrust of the government and medical providers role on addressing health disparities among Latino MSM. Overall, the findings for individual factors emphasize the need for patient-centered interventions for Latino MSM. Latino MSM currently on PrEP require supplemental resources to enhance PrEP adherence. Latino MSM not on PrEP require alternate options for PrEP delivery and/or cognitive behavioral approaches minimizing HIV risk behavior for Latino MSM concerned with PrEP toxicity, which may require non-biomedical interventions. Integration of Latino MSM currently on PrEP as peer educators provides a valuable resource for developing culturally informed PrEP interventions for Latino MSM. Peer educators are able to share their experiential knowledge of PrEP contextualized through cultural norms, beliefs, and values.
Highlights
In 2012 the United States Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) biomedical intervention to prevent the transmission of HIV among highrisk populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV, which include Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) [1]
The PrEP instrument developed for this study provided critical information to further understand PrEP related attitudes and decision-making factors for Latino MSM
Latino MSM not on PrEP require alternate options for PrEP delivery and/or cognitive behavioral approaches minimizing HIV risk behavior for Latino MSM concerned with PrEP toxicity, which may require non-biomedical interventions
Summary
In 2012 the United States Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) biomedical intervention to prevent the transmission of HIV among highrisk populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV, which include Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) [1]. Research has demonstrated that many high-risk populations are unaware of PrEP as an effective strategy for the reduction of HIV transmission [4–6]. This is especially true among the MSM population where only 57% of MSM are aware of PrEP [7]. Health care providers express concerns about patient medication adherence, side effects, and continued engagement in high-risk behaviors among MSM [7, 9, 23]. Qualitative research participants (39 MSM, including 20 Latino MSM) expressed concerns that PrEP use may result in greater condomless sex, but the results indicated that there was no change in condom use before and during PrEP use [13].
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