Drawing from the Theory of Planned Behaviour to examine pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake intentions among heterosexuals in high HIV prevalence neighbourhoods in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: an observational study.

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Research surrounding attitudes and intentions concerning pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among at-risk heterosexuals, women and ethnic and racial minorities is needed to inform programs to scale this effective HIV prevention intervention among these populations. The study sample includes 192 HIV-negative heterosexuals recruited from HIV testing sites operating in high HIV prevalence neighbourhoods in a mid-Atlantic city. Participants received brief educational sessions on PrEP and completed a self-administered survey assessing sociodemographic factors, HIV risk behaviours and theoretical determinants of PrEP uptake, based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Participants were majority persons of colour (86%), with a median age of 43 years. Compared with Whites, a higher percentage of Black and Brown persons had more than five sex partners (75.0%), used condoms inconsistently (85.6%) and engaged in transactional sex (84.4%). Most expressed positive PrEP attitudes and indicated intention to adopt PrEP, especially if recommended by their doctor. In a multivariable model, willingness to take PrEP if suggested by a healthcare provider (aOR: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.42-12.24) and willingness to take PrEP even if it caused side-effects (aOR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.01-3.90) were both associated with greater PrEP adoption intentions. A diverse at-risk population was identified through community-based HIV testing. Low perceived HIV risk, as well as PrEP-related attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were associated with PrEP use intentions. These factors are potential targets for interventions to increase PrEP adoption among diverse heterosexual samples.

Investigators
Abbreviation
Sex Health
Publication Date
2019-05-13
Pubmed ID
31079596
Medium
Print-Electronic
Full Title
Drawing from the Theory of Planned Behaviour to examine pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake intentions among heterosexuals in high HIV prevalence neighbourhoods in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: an observational study.
Authors
Roth A, Felsher M, Tran N, Bellamy S, Martinez-Donate A, Krakower D, Szep Z