A qualitative assessment in acceptability and barriers to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men: implications for service delivery in Vietnam

BMC Infectious Diseases

Luis E. C. Rocha¹  Anna Thorson²  Mattias Larsson²  Susanne Strömdahl³  Long Hoang Nguyen⁴  Bach Xuan Tran⁵  Huong Lan Thi Nguyen⁶ 

[1] Department of Economics & Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium;Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam;Department of Health Economics, Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam;Department of Health, Behaviours, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America;Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam;Faculty of Nursing, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam;

关键词: Qualitative;    Pre-exposure prophylaxis;    PrEP;    HIV;    MSM;    Vietnam;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12879-021-06178-5

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is being considered for implementation among MSM nationwide in Vietnam. However, there may be concerns about potential obstacles for PrEP adherence among Vietnamese MSM. This study aims to assess the acceptability to use PrEP, potential barriers and facilitators, and the preferences for PrEP service accessibility and delivery among Vietnamese MSM.MethodsFour focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 30 HIV-negative MSM in January 2018 in Hanoi, Vietnam. FGDs explored MSM’s awareness regarding PrEP, perceived benefits and barriers of PrEP use, and willingness to use PrEP. FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was used.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 23.9 years old. Most participants realized the advantages of PrEP given its efficacy in HIV risk reduction and expressed high motivation and interest to use PrEP in the future. PrEP was considered as a supplement alongside condoms. Common concerns about PrEP included side-effects, forgetting to take the pill daily, stigmatization due to using PrEP, negative attitudes toward PrEP from other MSM and accessibility of PrEP. Participants would prefer an injectable PrEP regime if available as it was seen as easier to adhere to. Concerns were also raised that PrEP usage could be interpreted as an indication of engaging in sexual risk behavior for HIV, potentially causing suspicion in love relationships or by family and friends. Participants preferred to receive PrEP in civil business organizations and MSM-friendly clinics, and recommended that pharmacy stores would not be suitable for PrEP implementation due to lack of trust and fear of fake drugs.ConclusionThis study indicated a high level of willingness to use PrEP among MSM in Vietnam in combination with condom. Strategies to raise awareness of PrEP, reduce stigma towards PrEP, and improve the accessibility among MSM in Vietnam is needed. Existing MSM-friendly clinics were recommended to implement PrEP programs in Vietnam.

【 授权许可】

CC BY