Demand for pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and the impact on clinical services: Scottish men who have sex with men perspectives. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gilson, RI; Clutterbuck, DJ; Chen, ZE
• Is Part Of: International journal of STD & AIDS. Volume 29:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 273
• Page End: 277
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis -- men who have sex with men -- Scotland -- pre-exposure prophylaxis eligibility -- HIV prevention; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; 616.951
• DOI: 10.1177/0956462417723817
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-4624

Abstract

There is a lack of data on ability and willingness of men who have sex with men (MSM) to self-fund HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We aimed to explore how many eligible (PROUD study criteria) men may want PrEP and how many lower-risk MSM would be willing and able to self-fund this intervention. A self-completed anonymous questionnaire was distributed to MSM populations attending services. Of 377 participants, 81.5% were aware of PrEP. Fifty-three (15.5 %) were eligible, of whom 43 (81%) were very/extremely likely to want it. Of those ineligible, 229 (80%) were aware of PrEP and 106 (37.3%) were very/extremely likely to want it. Of eligible respondents 23% would be willing and able to pay at least £50 a month for PrEP. Of ineligible respondents this proportion was 21%. Our survey revealed high levels of awareness, understanding and willingness to take PrEP among MSM at high and lower risk of HIV acquisition. It indicated that over 70% of high-risk men would be unwilling or unable to self-fund PrEP, should it not be available on the NHS. For lower-risk MSM we estimated that capacity requirements for monitoring self-funded PrEP will be 50% higher than numbers eligible for PrEP. These factors will need to be taken into account when planning services.