Sociocultural influences on attitudes towards pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), history of PrEP use, and future PrEP use in HIV-vulnerable cisgender men who have sex with men across the U.S.

Abstract

Despite its proven effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use remains low. This study used data from a 2017-2018 U.S. national cohort to investigate social influences on PrEP experience and future PrEP use among cisgender men who have sex with men. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic analyses to examine social influences (e.g., how participants heard about PrEP and number of persons they knew taking PrEP) associated with each previous PrEP use and intentions to use PrEP. Among participants who knew of PrEP, commonly reported ways of first hearing about PrEP were through social media (27.4%) and friends (26.8%). These were also cited top influences on participants' current attitudes toward PrEP (friends 23.5%, social media 22.1%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses found that knowing more people taking PrEP was associated with increased odds of previously using PrEP and intending to use PrEP. Friends and social media were common and influential sources of information regarding PrEP. Results suggest that tapping into these social connections may effectively disseminate public health messaging about PrEP and encourage use among key populations to reduce HIV burden.