141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

291709
Acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among young men who have sex with men in New York City: Attitudes and perceptions


Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Rafael Perez-Figueroa, MD, MPH, Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY
Perry Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, Global Institute of Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
Farzana Kapadia, PhD MPH, College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel biomedical approach for HIV prevention. However, questions remain regarding the implementation of PrEP among young men who have sex with men (YMSM).

Purpose: This study examined attitudes and perceptions towards PrEP as a risk reduction strategy among YMSM.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of 100 YMSM in New York City. A thematic analysis was utilized to explore key issues related to young men's attitudes and perceptions toward PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy.

Results: Three main themes emerged from the interviews: 1) knowledge and awareness of PrEP, 2) attitudes and concerns regarding PrEP, and 3) socio-behavioral influences on the acceptability of PrEP. Self-perceived risk for HIV transmission, enjoying unprotected sex, and being engaged in a relationship were articulated as factors associated with the adoption of PrEP. Participants' concerns included the cost, adherence, and accessibility to marginalized communities.

Conclusions: Findings underscore the importance of combining biomedical and behavioral approaches for HIV prevention. PrEP implementation programs must consider the developmental state and the competing interests and challenges faced by YMSM.

Learning Areas:

Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe attitudes and perceptions toward PrEP as a risk reduction strategy among young men who have sex with men

Keyword(s): Adolescents, HIV Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow of Public Health at New York University. My work focuses on the study of health disparities among sexual, racial, and ethnic minorities. I study public health issues related to HIV prevention and care, sexually transmitted infections, and substance use. I do this by engaging in theoretically driven research studies that seek to disentangle the effects of sexual identity, minority status, and discrimination on the health outcomes of these populations
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5173.0: PrEP and HIV prevention