Intimacy Motivations and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Adoption Intentions Among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Background In the United States, men who have sex with men (MSM) in primary partnerships are at elevated risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a new biomedical prevention strategy, has potential to reduce HIV transmission. This study examined predictors of PrEP adoption intentions among HIV-negative MSM in primary partnerships. Methods The sample included HIV-negative MSM (n = 164) who participated in an ongoing cross-sectional study with an in-person interview examining PrEP adoption intentions. Results Higher HIV risk perception, intimacy motivations for condomless sex, recent condomless anal sex with outside partners, education, and age were each independently associated with PrEP adoption intentions. In a multivariate model, only age, education, and intimacy motivations for condomless sex were significantly associated with PrEP adoption intentions. Conclusions Intimacy motivations may play a central role in PrEP adoption for MSM couples. Incorporating relationship dynamics into biomedical strategies is a promising avenue for research and intervention.

Changes in Familiarity with and Willingness to Take Preexposure Prophylaxis in a Longitudinal Study of Highly Sexually Active Gay and Bisexual Men

“…Furthermore, although risk compensation is of concern for STIs, it also remains important for researchers to both investigate and acknowledge the intrinsic benefits of CAS such as increased sexual pleasure and feelings of connectedness. 23,24 Likewise, researchers must acknowledge the relative risks of STI transmission and treatment versus HIV transmission and treatment.…”

The Potential of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Women in Violent Relationships

“…79 This may make it difficult for women to pay for PrEP, which is estimated to cost between $8000 and $14,000 per year without health insurance. 80 Many insurance programs, including Medicaid, cover some or all of the cost of PrEP; however, women who are covered under their partners' insurance plan may not be able to utilize insurance coverage if they wish to use PrEP covertly (e.g., if an Explanation of Benefits is sent to the partner as policyholder). 81 Although medication assistance programs may relieve some of the cost of PrEP for economically disadvantaged women or those without insurance, these resources may not be available for women whose household income is above the maximum allowable qualifying amount.…”

Barriers to Access and Adoption of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in a Relatively Rural State

“…Previous research has demonstrated adoption of and intentions to use PrEP among MSM (Gamarel & Golub, 2015;Golub, Gamarel, Rendina, Surace, & Lelutiu-Weinberger, 2013;Young & McDaid, 2014). However, there is the tendency to recruit samples of participants in urban and suburban areas of the U.S., thus ignoring the unique experiences of MSM residing in more rural states.…”