Agreement of and discussion with clients about Undetectable equals Untransmissible among general practitioners in Australia: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background The message of undetectable HIV viral load equals untransmissible (U=U) is important to reduce HIV stigma. We examined Australian general practitioner (GP)s’ agreement of and discussion with clients about U=U. Methods We conducted an online survey through GP networks from April to October 2022. All GPs working within Australia were eligible. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with: (1) agreement of U=U; and (2) discussing U=U with clients. Results Of 703 surveys, 407 were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 39.7 years (s.d.: 8.4). Most GPs (74.2%, n = 302) agreed with U=U, but only 33.9% (n = 138) had ever discussed U=U with clients. Key barriers to discussing U=U were lack of relevant client presentations (48.7%), lack of understanding about U=U (39.9%), and difficulty identifying those who would benefit from U=U (6.6%). Agreement with U=U was associated with greater odds of discussing U=U (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.33–9.68), younger age (AOR 0.96 per additional year of age, 95%CI: 0.94–0.99), and extra training in sexual health (AOR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.11–3.45). Discussing U=U was associated with younger age (AOR 0.97, 95%CI: 0.94–1.00), extra training with sexual health (AOR 1.93, 95%CI: 1.17–3.17), and negatively associated with working in a metropolitan or suburban area (AOR 0.45, 95%CI: 0.24–0.86). Conclusion Most GPs agreed with U=U, but most had not discussed U=U with their clients. Concerningly, one in four GPs were neutral or disagreed with U=U, suggesting that further qualitative research to understand this finding, and implementation research to promote U=U among Australian GPs, is urgently needed.