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REVIEW

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment as prevention: a review of awareness and acceptability among men who have sex with men in the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas

Martin Holt
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Email: m.holt@unsw.edu.au

Sexual Health 11(2) 166-170 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH13060
Submitted: 17 April 2013  Accepted: 17 June 2013   Published: 19 July 2013

Abstract

This review assesses acceptability research for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention (TasP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas, evaluating awareness and attitudes. There has been limited research on the acceptability of PrEP outside the United States and no research to date evaluating the acceptability of TasP since the findings of the HIV Prevention Trials Network 052 trial were released. Existing research suggests that PrEP is reasonably acceptable to MSM, but few men are likely to perceive the need for it. Studies of HIV treatment optimism suggest that MSM are likely to be sceptical of TasP.

Additional keywords: attitudes, gay and bisexual men, treatment optimism.


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