Awareness and willingness towards pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV infection among individuals seeking voluntary counselling and testing for HIV in Taiwan: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey
Journal
BMJ Open
Journal Volume
7
Journal Issue
10
Pages
e015142
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Lee Y.-C.
Chang L.-H.
Liu W.-C.
Wu C.-H.
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to investigate the awareness and willingness towards pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among individuals seeking voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV in Taiwan, where PrEP is currently not reimbursed by the insurance. Methods Between April and October 2016, a questionnaire interview was conducted among VCT clients to inquire about the attitudes towards PrEP against HIV infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associated factors with willingness to initiate PrEP. Results During the 6-month period, 1173 VCT clients (99.8%) completed the interviews, with 67.4% being homosexual or bisexual male. While 67.2% of the clients knew of postexposure prophylaxis, 40.2% heard of PrEP. Overall, 546 clients (46.5%) were willing to initiate PrEP and 89.5% of them would choose event-driven PrEP. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 1.796; 95% CI 1.165 to 2.768), full-Time job (OR 1.354; 95% CI 1.052 to 1.742), one-night stand (OR 1.374; 95% CI 1.043 to 1.810), having casual sex partners within 3 months (OR 1.329; 95% CI 1.031 to 1.714), condomless anal sex (OR 1.405; 95% CI 1.122 to 1.878) and ever having chemsex or attending a drug party in the past 1 year (OR 2.571; 95% CI 1.541 to 4.287), regular screening for HIV infection (OR 1.321; 95% CI 1.021 to 1.711) and knowledge of PrEP (OR 1.504; 95% CI, 1.159 to 1.953) were associated with willingness to initiate PrEP. Conclusions Understanding the willingness to initiate PrEP against HIV among the VCT clients in Taiwan, which was associated with male gender, risky sexual behaviours and awareness of PrEP, will help inform the implementation of PrEP programme. ? Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.
Other Subjects
recreational drug; adult; anal intercourse; awareness; bisexuality; casual sex; chemsex; concurrent sexual partnership; condom use; controlled study; cross-sectional study; female; full time employment; gender; health care survey; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; income; infection prevention; major clinical study; male; male homosexuality; one-night stand; patient counseling; post exposure prophylaxis; pre-exposure prophylaxis; Review; sexual behavior; syphilis; attitude to health; counseling; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; multivariate analysis; patient attitude; questionnaire; sexuality; statistical model; statistics and numerical data; Taiwan; young adult; Adult; Counseling; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV Infections; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Sexuality; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Young Adult
Type
review