PrEP Interest Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Netherlands: Covariates and Differences Across Samples

Mart van Dijk*, Sascha B Duken, Rosemary M Delabre, Richard Stranz, Vincent Schlegel, Daniela Rojas Castro, Adeline Bernier, Paul Zantkuijl, Robert A.C. Ruiter, John B F de Wit, Kai J. Jonas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Despite increased availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP uptake has remained low. To promote uptake, factors related to PrEP interest among relevant target populations warrant investigation. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of PrEP interest among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands, while taking study recruitment strategies into account. We recruited 154 MSM from an LGBT research panel (AmsterdamPinkPanel) and 272 MSM from convenience sampling. Both samples were part of the Flash! PrEP in Europe Survey and were compared on their PrEP interest, usage intentions, and sexual behavior. We conducted logistic regression analyses to discover variables associated with PrEP interest and intentions. Participants from the AmsterdamPinkPanel were less likely to use PrEP, had less knowledge of PrEP, and were less interested in PrEP than participants from convenience sampling. Significant covariates of PrEP interest were being single, more prior PrEP knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, such as not having used a condom during last sex and having ever used drugs in a sexual context, and not participating in the AmsterdamPinkPanel. Adding the recruitment strategy to the regression increased explained variance on top of predictors already described in the literature. Increased sexual risk behavior is related to increased PrEP interest and it helps to identify PrEP target groups. Recruitment strategies have a substantial impact on findings regarding PrEP interest and usage intentions. This study emphasizes the importance of using multiple strategies for recruiting participants to obtain a more comprehensive view of MSM's attitudes toward PrEP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2155-2164
Number of pages10
JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior
Volume49
Issue number6
Early online date2 Mar 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2020

Keywords

  • HIV prevention
  • PrEP
  • Men who have sex with men (MSM)
  • Sexual orientation
  • HIV PREEXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS
  • UNPROTECTED ANAL INTERCOURSE
  • BISEXUAL MEN
  • TRANSGENDER WOMEN
  • CONDOM USE
  • HIGH-RISK
  • GAY
  • WILLINGNESS
  • AWARENESS
  • MSM

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