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Experiences of Anticipated and Enacted Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Stigma Among Latino MSM in Los Angeles

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Abstract

Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) are a group critically affected by HIV. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a biomedical prevention strategy that can help reduce new infections in this population. However, PrEP use may expose users to experiences of PrEP-related stigma. In-depth interviews conducted with Latino MSM PrEP users (N = 29) were analyzed using thematic analysis to explore experiences of PrEP stigma. Six themes emerged related to anticipated and enacted PrEP stigma: (1) Perception that PrEP users engage in risky sexual behaviors; (2) PrEP-induced conflict in relationships; (3) Perception that PrEP users are HIV-positive; (4) Generational differences in attitudes toward HIV prevention; (5) Experiences of discomfort, judgment, or homophobia from medical providers; and (6) Gay stigma related to PrEP disclosure to family. Manifestations of stigma included disapproving judgment, negative labeling, rejection, and devaluing individuals. The social consequences associated with using PrEP may deter uptake and persistence among Latino MSM.

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Acknowledgements

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official views of the National Institutes of Health. We thank the participants for graciously sharing their views and experiences for this study. This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [Grant Nos: R21MH107339 and T32MH109205] and by the UCLA Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment (CHIPTS) [Grant P30MH058107].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Ronald A. Brooks, Amanda Landrian, Omar Nieto & Anne Fehrenbacher

  2. Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services (CHIPTS), University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Ronald A. Brooks & Anne Fehrenbacher

  3. Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Amanda Landrian

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Anne Fehrenbacher

  5. Department of Family Medicine, UCLA, 10880 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Ronald A. Brooks

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  1. Ronald A. Brooks
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Correspondence to Ronald A. Brooks.

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Brooks, R.A., Landrian, A., Nieto, O. et al. Experiences of Anticipated and Enacted Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Stigma Among Latino MSM in Los Angeles. AIDS Behav 23, 1964–1973 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02397-9

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