Unspeakable PrEP: a qualitative study of sexual communication, problematic integration, and uncertainty management among men who have sex with men in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of Applied Communication Research
Journal Volume
47
Journal Issue
6
Date Issued
2019-11-02
Author(s)
Wu, Huei Jiuan
Strong, Carol
Jan, Feng Ming
Mao, Ling Wen
Ko, Nai Ying
Li, Chia Wen
Cheng, Chien Yu
Ku, Stephane Wen Wei
Abstract
This study explored how men who have sex with men (MSM) communicated their use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on smartphone applications. Informed by the theory of problematic integration and uncertainty management, we asked if revealing ‘HIV negative, on PrEP’ status on smartphone applications might increase one's uncertainty in communicating about safe sex with others. We conducted interviews with 31 Taiwanese MSM currently taking PrEP who participated in a national demonstration project. We identified three types of PrEP-related uncertainty: condition, information, and stigma uncertainty. Applied implications of our findings indicate the importance of the feasibility of medical infrastructure in implementing PrEP, the complication in translating scientific and medical jargon into everyday language, and dynamics of negotiating stigmas associated with HIV and AIDS in the context of HIV prevention.
Subjects
HIV/AIDS | PrEP | sexual communication | social apps | Taiwan | uncertainty
SDGs
Type
journal article