Interest in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men in West Africa (CohMSM ANRS 12324 - Expertise France)

Trop Med Int Health. 2018 Oct;23(10):1084-1091. doi: 10.1111/tmi.13129. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the interest in taking PrEP among Western African men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was implemented at enrolment of HIV-negative MSM in a multiple centre community-based cohort study in four West African countries (Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo). A standardised face-to-face questionnaire collected data on socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics over the previous 6 months. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression helped identify factors associated with the interest in taking PrEP.

Results: Of 564 participants, 87% were interested in taking PrEP. Interest in PrEP was associated with inconsistent condom use for anal sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-3.67), transactional sex (aOR: 2.02; 95% CI 1.11-3.71), searching for male sexual partners on the Internet in the previous month (aOR: 1.86; 95% CI 1.01-3.43), having a high level of self-esteem (aOR: 1.20; 95% CI 1.06-1.36), having at least one sexually transmitted infections at enrolment (aOR: 5.08; 95% CI 1.40-18.4) and not being aware of PrEP (aOR: 2.03; 95% CI 1.04-3.96). Participants having sex with HIV-positive male partners (aOR: 0.28; 95% CI 0.11-0.74), those being more sexually attracted to women than to men (aOR: 0.20; 95% CI 0.07-0.89) and those reporting psychological and material support from close friends (aOR: 0.33; 95% CI 0.15-0.73) were less interested in taking PreP.

Conclusions: Western African HIV-negative MSM appear very interested in taking PrEP, especially those most at risk of HIV infection. PrEP implementation in a comprehensive prevention package should be considered urgently.

Keywords: HIV; HSH; Africa; Afrique; PrEP; men who have sex with men; pre-exposure prophylaxis; prevention; prophylaxie; prophylaxis; prévention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mali
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / methods*
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities
  • Togo
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology*
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents