Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in a Sample of Italian Men Who Have SEX with MEN (MSM)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is suitable for high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection risk people, foremost among whom are males who have sex with other males (MSM). This study evaluated knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding PrEP in a sample of Italian MSM, in order to hypothesize...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2021-04, Vol.18 (9), p.4772
Main Authors: Voglino, Gianluca, Gualano, Maria Rosaria, Rousset, Stefano, Forghieri, Pietro, Fraire, Isabella, Bert, Fabrizio, Siliquini, Roberta
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS
Attitudes
Clinical trials
Confidence intervals
COVID-19
Disease prevention
Disease transmission
Exposure
Health risks
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Infections
Infectious diseases
Knowledge
Polls & surveys
Population
Prophylaxis
Public health
Questionnaires
Sexual behavior
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sociodemographics
STD
Systematic review
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Summary:Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is suitable for high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection risk people, foremost among whom are males who have sex with other males (MSM). This study evaluated knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding PrEP in a sample of Italian MSM, in order to hypothesize strategies to implement PrEP awareness and use. No previous study has assessed this issue; Methods: An online survey was given to an opportunistic sample of Italian MSM. The questionnaire investigated sexual behaviour and habits, HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge and PrEP awareness, attitudes and practices. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with PrEP knowledge; Results: A total of 196 MSM participated in this survey. Overall data showed that 87.2% of participants knew what PrEP is, but only 7.5% have ever used it. The main reason for not using PrEP was the cost of the therapy (26.9%). The principal source of PrEP information was the Internet (68.4%). Being regularly tested for HIV was significantly associated with PrEP knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (AdjOR) = 3.16; confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-9.29); Conclusions: Knowledge regarding PrEP was well established, but PrEP use was not equally widespread. It is necessary to improve research on PrEP usage in order to PrEP access to be granted.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph18094772