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PrEP Awareness, Use, Intention to Use, and Information Source Among Geosocial Networking Application Users in Mexico in 2018–2019

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Abstract

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has limited availability across Latin America, though access is increasing. We explored PrEP uptake in Mexico via an online survey completed by Spanish-speaking, Hornet geosocial networking application (GSN app) users without HIV (n = 2020). Most (81.3%) had heard of PrEP, 3.5% were current users, and 34.2% intended to take PrEP within six months. Current PrEP use was associated with PrEP eligibility (aOR 26.07 [95%CI 13.05–52.09], p < 0.001), recent STI testing (aOR 3.79 [95%CI 1.10–13.11], p = 0.035), and recent chemsex (aOR 3.02 [95%CI 1.02–8.93], p = 0.046). Recent STI testing was associated with hearing about PrEP from a doctor (aOR 3.26 [95%CI 1.98–5.36], p < 0.001), and those who lived in large cities were less likely to have learned about PrEP via Hornet (aOR 0.52 [95%CI 0.32–0.85], p = 0.009). Interventions to increase PrEP uptake in Mexico should build upon existing health networks and utilize GSN apps for PrEP information dissemination, particularly in less populated areas.

Resumen

La profilaxis pre-exposición (PrEP) tiene disponibilidad limitada en América Latina, aunque su acceso está aumentando. Exploramos el uso de PrEP en México a través de una encuesta en línea para sujetos hispanohablantes sin VIH usuarios de la aplicación de redes geosociales (GSN app) Hornet (n=2020). La mayoría (81,3%) había escuchado sobre PrEP, el 3,5% eran usuarios actuales, y el 34,2% tenían intención de tomar PrEP en seis meses o menos. El uso actual de PrEP estuvo asociado con la elegibilidad de tomar PrEP (aOR 26.07 [95%CI 13.05–52.09], p < 0.001), tener prueba reciente para ITS (aOR 3.79 [95%CI 1.10–13.11], p = 0.035), y chemsex reciente (aOR 3.02 [95%CI 1.02–8.93], p = 0.046). Tener prueba reciente para ITS se asoció con escuchar sobre PrEP de un médico (aOR 3.26 [95%CI 1.98–5.36], p < 0.001), y quienes vivían en ciudades grandes tenían menos probabilidad de conocer acerca de PrEP a través de Hornet (aOR 0.52 [95%CI 0.32–0.85], p = 0.009). Las intervenciones para aumentar el uso de PrEP en México deberían basarse en redes de salud existentes y usar las GSN apps para difundir información sobre PrEP, particularmente en áreas menos pobladas.

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Acknowledgements

These data were presented at the 2019 IAS Conference on HIV Science in Mexico City (abstract MOAD0301).

Funding

This project was funded by the University of California, Los Angeles’ South American Program in HIV Prevention Research (SAPHIR) NIMH Grant R25MH087222. This work was also supported by the UCLA Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services (CHIPTS) NIMH Grant P30MH58107. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

A.G., J.L., A.R., S.L.G., V.G.R., and I.W.H. designed and disseminated the survey. K.J.B., A.G., J.L., and I.W.H. collected and organized survey data. K.J.B., E.R.S., J.L., J.E.L., J.C., and I.W.H. analyzed the data. K.J.B., E.R.S., J.L., A.R., S.L.G., V.G.R., J.E.L., J.C., and I.W.H. interpreted and contextualized the data. K.J.B. wrote the initial manuscript draft, and all other authors were involved with revising and preparing the final version. All authors gave final approval for submission and publication.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin J. Blair.

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Conflict of interest

Author A.G. is a senior health innovation strategist at Hornet Gay Social Network, which was used for dissemination of the survey used in this study. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors; Hornet had no influence over the analysis or interpretation of results. The remaining authors (K.J.B., E.R.S, J.L., A.R., S.L.G., V.G.R., J.E.L., J.C., and I.W.H.) have no conflicts of interest to report.

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Blair, K.J., Segura, E.R., Garner, A. et al. PrEP Awareness, Use, Intention to Use, and Information Source Among Geosocial Networking Application Users in Mexico in 2018–2019. AIDS Behav 25, 2743–2754 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-021-03184-1

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