TY - JOUR
T1 - The social meanings of PrEP use: a mixed-method study of PrEP use disclosure in Antwerp and Amsterdam
AU - Reyniers, Thijs
AU - Zimmermann, Hanne M L
AU - Davidovich, Udi
AU - Vuylsteke, Bea
AU - Laga, Marie
AU - Hoornenborg, Elske
AU - Prins, Maria
AU - De Vries, Henry J C
AU - Nöstlinger, Christiana
N1 - FTX; NOOA; © 2021 Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel HIV prevention tool. PrEP stigma is a frequently reported barrier, while social disclosure of PrEP use may be an important facilitator. We explored how PrEP users managed PrEP use disclosure using a symbolic interactionist approach. We interviewed 32 participants from two PrEP demonstration projects (Be-PrEP-ared, Antwerp; AMPrEP, Amsterdam). We validated qualitative findings through Be-PrEP-ared questionnaire data. A minority of participants had received negative reactions on PrEP. The way PrEP use was disclosed was highly dependent on the social situation. In a sexual context among MSM, PrEP use was associated with condomless sex. Friends endorsed PrEP use as a healthy choice, but also related it to carelessness and promiscuity. It was seldom disclosed to colleagues and family, which is mostly related to social norms dictating when it is acceptable to talk about sex. The study findings reveal that PrEP stigma experiences were not frequent in this population, and that PrEP users actively manage disclosure of their PrEP user status. Frequent disclosure and increased use may have helped PrEP becoming normalised in these MSM communities. To increase uptake, peer communication, community activism and framing PrEP as health promotion rather than a risk-reduction intervention may be crucial.
AB - Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel HIV prevention tool. PrEP stigma is a frequently reported barrier, while social disclosure of PrEP use may be an important facilitator. We explored how PrEP users managed PrEP use disclosure using a symbolic interactionist approach. We interviewed 32 participants from two PrEP demonstration projects (Be-PrEP-ared, Antwerp; AMPrEP, Amsterdam). We validated qualitative findings through Be-PrEP-ared questionnaire data. A minority of participants had received negative reactions on PrEP. The way PrEP use was disclosed was highly dependent on the social situation. In a sexual context among MSM, PrEP use was associated with condomless sex. Friends endorsed PrEP use as a healthy choice, but also related it to carelessness and promiscuity. It was seldom disclosed to colleagues and family, which is mostly related to social norms dictating when it is acceptable to talk about sex. The study findings reveal that PrEP stigma experiences were not frequent in this population, and that PrEP users actively manage disclosure of their PrEP user status. Frequent disclosure and increased use may have helped PrEP becoming normalised in these MSM communities. To increase uptake, peer communication, community activism and framing PrEP as health promotion rather than a risk-reduction intervention may be crucial.
U2 - 10.1111/1467-9566.13283
DO - 10.1111/1467-9566.13283
M3 - A1: Web of Science-article
C2 - 33997998
VL - 43
SP - 1311
EP - 1327
JO - Sociology of Health & Illness
JF - Sociology of Health & Illness
SN - 0141-9889
IS - 6
ER -