Awareness of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV, Willingness to Use It and Potential Barriers or Facilitators to Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Spain

AIDS Behav. 2016 Jul;20(7):1423-33. doi: 10.1007/s10461-016-1379-9.

Abstract

There is a lack of data on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectiveness in Spain. We described the awareness of and willingness to use PrEP and examined potential barriers and facilitators to their use among men who have sex with men recruited either online or in voluntary HIV testing centers in Spain. Nearly a third of men (28.7 %) were aware of PrEP and 57.6 % said they would be willing to use it if available, 16.6 % saying they would be unwilling to use PrEP and 25.8 % not being sure. Men who had heard of PrEP were more forceful in their opinions on willingness to use PrEP (willing/not willing: 29.8 %/32.6 % vs. don't know: 21.8 %). The greatest consensus regarding more acceptable PrEP attributes was in the mode of delivery and its cost. Doctors (91 %) or pharmacists (85.3 %) were the preferred providers. The results confirm the need to inform and educate on PrEP and define implementation strategies.

Keywords: HIV infection; Men who have sex with men; Pre-exposure prophylaxis; Sex behaviors; Spain.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Awareness
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / methods*
  • Primary Prevention
  • Sexual Partners
  • Spain
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents