The Impact of PrEP on the Sex Lives of MSM at High Risk for HIV Infection: Results of a Belgian Cohort

Thijs Reyniers; Christiana Nöstlinger; Bea Vuylsteke; Irith De Baetselier; Kristien Wouters; Marie Laga

doi:10.1007/s10461-020-03010-0

The Impact of PrEP on the Sex Lives of MSM at High Risk for HIV Infection: Results of a Belgian Cohort

Thijs Reyniers, Christiana Nöstlinger, Bea Vuylsteke, Irith De Baetselier, Kristien Wouters, Marie Laga

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

There is a need for an in-depth understanding of the impact of PrEP on users' sexual health and behaviour, beyond the focus on 'risk'. This mixed-method study was part of a Belgian PrEP demonstration project following 200 men who have sex with men (MSM) for at least 18 months. Taking a grounded-theory approach, 22 participants were interviewed and their transcripts analysed. The preliminary analysis guided the analysis of the questionnaire data. Overall, PrEP improved sexual health. Participants felt better protected against HIV, which enabled them to change their sexual behaviour. The reduction in condom use was moderated by interviewees' attitudes towards the risk for other STIs. Other changes included having more anal sex and experimentation with new sexual behaviours. While PrEP empowers MSM in taking care of their sexual health, comprehensive sexual health counselling is crucial to provide care for users who feel less in control over their sexual health.

Original language	English
Journal	AIDS and Behavior
ISSN	1090-7165
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-03010-0
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 28-Aug-2020

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title = "The Impact of PrEP on the Sex Lives of MSM at High Risk for HIV Infection: Results of a Belgian Cohort",

abstract = "There is a need for an in-depth understanding of the impact of PrEP on users' sexual health and behaviour, beyond the focus on 'risk'. This mixed-method study was part of a Belgian PrEP demonstration project following 200 men who have sex with men (MSM) for at least 18 months. Taking a grounded-theory approach, 22 participants were interviewed and their transcripts analysed. The preliminary analysis guided the analysis of the questionnaire data. Overall, PrEP improved sexual health. Participants felt better protected against HIV, which enabled them to change their sexual behaviour. The reduction in condom use was moderated by interviewees' attitudes towards the risk for other STIs. Other changes included having more anal sex and experimentation with new sexual behaviours. While PrEP empowers MSM in taking care of their sexual health, comprehensive sexual health counselling is crucial to provide care for users who feel less in control over their sexual health.",

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AU - Reyniers, Thijs

AU - Nöstlinger, Christiana

AU - Vuylsteke, Bea

AU - De Baetselier, Irith

AU - Wouters, Kristien

AU - Laga, Marie

PY - 2020/8/28

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AB - There is a need for an in-depth understanding of the impact of PrEP on users' sexual health and behaviour, beyond the focus on 'risk'. This mixed-method study was part of a Belgian PrEP demonstration project following 200 men who have sex with men (MSM) for at least 18 months. Taking a grounded-theory approach, 22 participants were interviewed and their transcripts analysed. The preliminary analysis guided the analysis of the questionnaire data. Overall, PrEP improved sexual health. Participants felt better protected against HIV, which enabled them to change their sexual behaviour. The reduction in condom use was moderated by interviewees' attitudes towards the risk for other STIs. Other changes included having more anal sex and experimentation with new sexual behaviours. While PrEP empowers MSM in taking care of their sexual health, comprehensive sexual health counselling is crucial to provide care for users who feel less in control over their sexual health.

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