Development and Validation of the Community PrEP-Related Stigma Scale (Community-PSS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-128
Author(s):  
Angel B. Algarin ◽  
Cho Hee Shrader ◽  
Benjamin T. Hackworth ◽  
Nelson Varas-Diaz ◽  
Kristopher P. Fennie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Community Perception ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Stigma Scale ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Despite increasing availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV prevention efforts have stalled. It is important to study potential barriers to HIV prevention methods, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis stigma. This study aims to develop and validate the Community PrEP-related Stigma Scale (Community-PSS) to address gaps in the literature. Participants were 108 sexual and gender minority men recruited through virtual and community-posted advertisements in Florida. The authors assessed reliability using Cronbach's alpha analysis, determined scale components using principal component analysis, and assessed construct validity based on five a priori hypotheses. The scale had high internal consistency (α = 0.86) and four components (stigma of actions outside of sex, stigma of sexual actions, extreme stigma perceptions, and positive community perception). The Community-PSS was valid, supporting four out of five hypotheses and in the expected directions. The Community-PSS was a valid and reliable tool in the sample and correlates with a previously validated PrEP stigma scale, HIV knowledge, PrEP knowledge, and likelihood of condom use with a partner on PrEP.

scholarly journals Structural Barriers to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among Young Sexual Minority Men: The P18 Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Jaiswal ◽  
Marybec Griffin ◽  
Stuart N. Singer ◽  
Richard E. Greene ◽  
Ingrid Lizette Zambrano Acosta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Hiv Prevention Strategies ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Background: Despite decreasing rates of HIV among many populations, HIV-related health disparities among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men persist, with disproportional percentages of new HIV diagnoses among racial and ethnic minority men. Despite increasing awareness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP use remains low. In addition to exploring individual-level factors for this slow uptake, structural drivers of PrEP use must also be identified in order to maximize the effectiveness of biomedical HIV prevention strategies. Method: Using cross-sectional data from an ongoing cohort study of young sexual minority men (N=492), we examine the extent to which structural-level barriers, including access to health care, medication logistics, counseling support, and stigma are related to PrEP use. Results: While almost all participants indicated awareness of PrEP, only 14% had ever used PrEP. PrEP use was associated with lower concerns about health care access, particularly paying for PrEP. Those with greater concerns talking with their provider about their sexual behaviors were less likely to use PrEP. Conclusion: Paying for PrEP and talking to one’s provider about sexual behaviors are concerns for young sexual minority men. In particular, stigma from healthcare providers poses a significant barrier to PrEP use in this population. Providers need not only to increase their own awareness of and advocacy for PrEP as an effective risk-management strategy for HIV prevention, but also must work to create open and non-judgmental spaces in which patients can discuss sexual behaviors without the fear of stigma.

scholarly journals What do patients consulting in a free STI center know about HIV transmission and prevention?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Duteil ◽  
E de La Rochebrochard ◽  
P Piron ◽  
C Segouin ◽  
P Troude
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Needle Exchange ◽  
Treatment As Prevention ◽  
False Beliefs ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Unprotected Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Prevention Messages ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background Despite therapeutic progress, HIV remains a public health issue with about 6400 new HIV contaminations each year in France. HIV prevention relies on health education, early screening, treatment as prevention, post and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Patients’ visits to free sexually transmitted infections (STIs) screening centers (CeGIDD) are opportunities to spread prevention messages. This study aimed to assess level of HIV knowledge in a Parisian CeGIDD to improve prevention messages. Methods The study included patients older than 18 who came for STIs testing between August 2017 and August 2018 and who understand written French language. Data were collected by a self-administered electronic questionnaire filled in before medical consultation. It included sociodemographic data and knowledge regarding HIV transmission and prevention. Results The study included 2002 patients. The median age was 27 years and 66% were men. More than 96% of patients know that HIV transmission is possible through unprotected sexual intercourse and through needle exchange. However, some misconceptions persist: 20% of patients believe that HIV transmission is possible from using public toilets and 22% by mosquito bite. Prevention measures perceived as “absolutely or rather efficient” by patients were: using condom (97%), requesting a screening test from his partners (91%), getting screening tests regularly (90%), choosing his partners correctly (62%), having sex with few different partners (50%). Half of patients heard of post-exposure prophylaxis (51%). Conclusions Main modes of HIV transmission are well known (unprotected intercourse and needle exchange). However, false beliefs regarding prevention may lead to risk behavior (doing screening test regularly doesn’t protect against HIV) and need to be explored. Moreover, assessment of variation in level of HIV knowledge according to patient’s profile may help to target prevention message according to specific populations. Key messages Main modes of HIV transmission are well known. False beliefs regarding modes of prevention need to be explored to target HIV prevention messages.

Substance use patterns and awareness of biomedical HIV prevention strategies among sexual and gender minority men in Canada

AIDS Care ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 1506-1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiffer G. Card ◽  
Anabelle Bernard Fournier ◽  
Justin T. Sorge ◽  
Jeffrey Morgan ◽  
Daniel Grace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Biomedical Hiv Prevention ◽  
Hiv Prevention Strategies ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
And Gender

scholarly journals What's PrEP?: Peer Navigator Acceptability among Minority MSM in Washington

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade Pagkas-Bather ◽  
Jahn Jaramillo ◽  
Jsani Henry ◽  
Vanessa Grandberry ◽  
Luis F. Ramirez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Medical Provider ◽  
Sexual Stigma ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
Western Washington ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Peer Navigation ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background: Peer navigation is a promising strategy to link at-risk minority men who have sex with men (MSM) to HIV prevention services including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Methods: Thirty-two Black and 63 Latinx HIV-negative MSM living in western Washington completed a survey examining attitudes towards peer navigation and PrEP. Factor analysis derived a score for peer navigator acceptability, and linear regression identified associations with this outcome . Results: Forty-eight percent were interested in peer navigation. Being insured, higher sexual stigma, and higher PHQ-9 score were associated with higher acceptability, while higher income and having a regular medical provider were associated with lower acceptability. In multivariable analysis, higher sexual stigma predicted higher acceptability, while higher income predicted lower acceptability. Conclusion: Men preferred that peers be matched on sexual orientation, race, age and culture. Peer navigation interventions to reach minority men should address stigma, focus on lower-income men, and try to match peers to clients to the extent possible. Key words: HIV prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis, Black, Latinx, men who have sex with men

Examining patient characteristics and HIV-related risks among women with syphilis as indicators for pre-exposure prophylaxis in a nurse-led program (PrEP-RN)

2020 ◽  
pp. 095646242095834
Author(s):  
Lauren Orser ◽  
Patrick O’Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Population Groups ◽  
Gender Minorities ◽  
Risk Practices ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Objective Indicators

Current HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) guidelines primarily target men who have sex with men (MSM) as candidates for HIV prevention; however, such recommendations often come at the expense of other ethnic and gender minorities, including women. To address barriers to PrEP care among non-MSM, we developed and implemented the first nurse-led PrEP program in Canada, known as PrEP-RN. As part of PrEP-RN, patients who meet objective indicators of HIV risk are offered a referral for PrEP, regardless of sexual orientation. One such measure is syphilis, which has increased in incidence among various population groups and is known to cause biological vulnerabilities to HIV. To better understand HIV-related risks and assess intentions for PrEP use among women, we undertook an 18-month retrospective review of syphilis diagnoses within this group in Ottawa, Canada. As part of this review, we examined 23 patient files, noting their unique characteristics, socio-behavioural risk factors, and noted barriers to PrEP uptake. While none of the women diagnosed with syphilis were diagnosed with HIV, the findings raise some important considerations to facilitate opportunities for HIV prevention among non-MSM, which must take into consideration individual risk practices, sexual health histories, and population groups.

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