HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness-raising interventions and increased acceptability and uptake of PrEP among at-risk men who have sex with men (MSM)

Abstract

Overview: The dissertation focused on awareness-raising interventions and how these can aid in increasing PrEP uptake among MSM. PrEP is an HIV prevention drug that is to be used among HIV-negative but at-risk individuals. MSM are a high-risk group which are the target population of this review. Question: Does Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness-raising interventions enhance acceptability and uptake of HIV PrEP among at risk men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM)? PICO: Population: MSM at risk of HIV; Intervention: PrEP awareness raising interventions; Comparison: No awareness raising interventions; Outcome: Increased acceptability and uptake of PrEP. Inclusion Criteria: Publications between January 2010-2020, english language, reviews from any geographical location, studies that selected the qualitative method of analysis, MSM who showed willingness acceptability to take PrEP. HIV-negative individuals, HIV-negative individuals. Exclusion Criteria: Non-english language reviews, publications prior 2009, non-peer reviewed journals, dissertations, thesis, published abstracts, commentary articles, any other population subgroup, HIV- positive participants Methods of appraisal: The critical appraisal was conducted employing the AXIS tool to appraise the cross-sectional studies and the CASP tool to appraise the systematic reviews. The main results from the evidence: Besides awareness-raising interventions, several facilitators were identified that influence the willingness to take PrEP. These were doubts about PrEP effectiveness, fear of side effects, low perception of HIV risk, stigma raised from peers, partners and family members, attitudes of healthcare professionals and cost. Individuals that were aware and perceived proper knowledge about HIV and PrEP were more likely to take PrEP. The main conclusions: Awareness raising interventions do affect the uptake of PrEP among MSM. Since the target population faces stigma with the right support, promotion and education towards the drug, PrEP uptake will increase.