Affiliation:
1. Beijing Huilongguan Hospital Beijing China
2. National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Beijing China
3. Chinese Association of STD and AIDS Prevention and Control Beijing China
4. Beijing Youan Hospital Capital Medical University Beijing China
5. Chinese Health Education Center Beijing China
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to gain insight into the barriers hindering the use of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in five cities in China.MethodsMSM were recruited via community‐based organizations in an online “snowball” manner. Participants completed the questionnaire anonymously and shared it with key MSM peers (seeds) in five cities in China. Based on the results of univariate analysis, we used a structural equation model to analyse the role of PrEP knowledge awareness, PrEP counselling, and other behavioural variables on PrEP use.ResultsThe study collected a total of 4223 valid questionnaires, and 18.2% of participants reported PrEP use. The results of the standardized total effects showed that the following paths were statistically significant (p < 0.05): from the age of first sex with men to PrEP knowledge awareness (β = −0.113) and PrEP use (β = 0.042); from high‐risk sexual behaviour scores to PrEP counselling (β = 0.039) and PrEP use (β = 0.103); from the number of HIV tests in the last year to PrEP knowledge awareness (β = 0.034), PrEP counselling (β = 0.170), and PrEP use (β = 0.197); from the level of self‐perceived risk of HIV infection to PrEP counselling (β = −0.115); from PrEP knowledge awareness to PrEP use (β = −0.049); and from PrEP counselling to PrEP use (β = 0.420).ConclusionsThe proportion of PrEP use among MSM was relatively low. Age at first sex with men, number of HIV tests, high‐risk sexual behaviour, and PrEP counselling had a positive effect on PrEP use, whereas PrEP knowledge awareness had an inverse effect on PrEP use.
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