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The Unanticipated Benefits of PrEP for Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

  • Katherine G. QuinnEmail author
  • Erika Christenson
  • Mark T. Sawkin
  • Elizabeth Hacker
  • Jennifer L. Walsh
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at reducing new HIV infections among adherent users. However, there are potential benefits of PrEP beyond HIV prevention that remain understudied, particularly among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2018, we conducted six focus groups (n = 36) in four midwestern cities: Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Detroit, MI; and Kansas City, MO with current and former PrEP users who identified as Black MSM. The focus groups covered medical care and provider experiences, patterns of PrEP use and adherence, relationships while on PrEP, and PrEP stigma. Results revealed four unanticipated benefits of PrEP for young Black MSM: (1) improved engagement in medical care, (2) reduced sexual and HIV anxiety, (3) increased sexual comfort and freedom, and (4) positive sexual relationships with people living with HIV. Findings from this study fill a gap in our understanding of the potential benefits of PrEP beyond HIV prevention. Public health campaigns and messaging around PrEP should incorporate such benefits to reach young Black MSM who may be motivated by benefits beyond HIV prevention.

Keywords

Pre-exposure prophylaxis Young Black MSM Sexual anxiety Engagement in medical care Focus groups 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Funding support was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH115764; PI: Walsh; P30-MH052776, PI: Jeffrey A. Kelly; K01-MH112412; PI: Quinn). The Authors would like to acknowledge the support and collaboration of our community partner agencies in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Detroit. Special Thanks to the Red Door Clinic in Minneapolis, the Detroit Public Health STD Clinic, Wayne State University, and University of Missouri-Kansas City, and all of the staff at the Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR) who were instrumental in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral MedicineMedical College of Wisconsin, Center for AIDS Intervention ResearchMilwaukeeUSA
  2. 2.School of PharmacyUniversity of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas CityUSA
  3. 3.Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUSA

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