‘Substantial Minority’ of MSM Would Use Condoms Less When on PrEP
A “substantial minority” of men who have sex with men (MSM) anticipated that they would use condoms less if they were taking PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, according to results of a survey presented Tuesday, July 24, at the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC.
Specifically, 20 percent of 3,245 respondents said they would decrease condom use while “topping”—engaging in insertive anal sex—while using PrEP.
And 14 percent of 3,237 respondents said they would forgo condoms while “bottoming”—engaging in receptive anal sex—while taking PrEP.
PrEP, which is when an HIV-negative person takes daily medication to prevent potential infection, is a controversial and timely topic. The Food and Drug Administration this month approved the use of the antiretroviral Truvada (tenofovir plus emtricitabine) as PrEP.
A 2010 study called iPrEx showed that among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women, Truvada as PrEP reduced HIV infections by 42 percent. However, not everyone took the meds as prescribed.
Those who followed the daily regime received higher protection—as much as 92 percent.
But in real world settings, will PrEP’s potential benefit be reduced by risk compensation?
In other words, will men who take PrEP perceive themselves to be protected and as a result stop using condoms?
In other words, will men who take PrEP perceive themselves to be protected and as a result stop using condoms?
To read full article: CLICK HERE
Good health policy would recognize PrEP provides an added tool in the efforts to decrease the spread of HIV. Hopefully, our community leaders and health care professionals will advocate the benefits provided by PrEP, treatment as prevention, and testing. Clearly, condoms and/or abstinence are not the solutions to slowing the spread of this virus.