Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is suitable for high human immunodefi-ciency 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 pre-vious 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); Con-clusions: Knowledge regarding PrEP was well established, but PrEP use was not equally wide-spread. It is necessary to improve research on PrEP usage in order to PrEP access to be granted.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) in a sample of italian men who have sex with men (msm)

Gualano M. R.;
2021-01-01

Abstract

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is suitable for high human immunodefi-ciency 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 pre-vious 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); Con-clusions: Knowledge regarding PrEP was well established, but PrEP use was not equally wide-spread. It is necessary to improve research on PrEP usage in order to PrEP access to be granted.
2021
HIV prevention
Knowledge
MSM
PrEP
Sexual behavior
Female
Health Knowledge
Attitudes
Practice
Homosexuality
Male
Humans
Italy
Male
Sexual Behavior
Anti-HIV Agents
HIV Infections
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Sexual and Gender Minorities
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14245/2479
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