Social Perceptions of PrEP Among a U.S. Sample

Purpose and Rationale.  In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control stated that approximately 1.2-million U.S. individuals were living with HIV, and 13% were unaware of their HIV-positive status. To decrease overall HIV infection rates, current recommendations include the use of anti-retroviral drug therapies (PrEP), in conjunction with condoms and other safe sex barriers. While these current recommendations offer promising evidence in reducing overall HIV infection rates, little information is known concerning who is aware of the anti-retroviral therapy PrEP and whether there are specific groups who may be unaware of its existence. Therefore, the goal of the current study is to examine which U.S demographic groups are least likely to have any knowledge about PrEP.

Method. Data was gathered from a survey distributed to individuals who were 18 years or older (N = 87). Variables used in the analysis included a dichotomous measure of whether clients were aware of PrEP, age, gender and sexual orientation (heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual). A logistic regression examined associations with PrEP knowledge among the demographic variables assessed. 

Findings. Overall, about 86% of individuals reported knowledge of PrEP. Bivariate analyses showed women and heterosexual individuals reported less knowledge of PrEP. A Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a main effect of gender, such that women showed lower odds of PrEP knowledge compared to men (OR = 17.65 p < .01). However, a gender X age interaction effect showed that the effects associated with gender is best explained by the knowledge of PrEP among older women, who showed the lowest odds of PrEP knowledge (OR = -.52 p < .01) among all genders and ages of individuals in the sample.

Conclusion. While current recommendations for reducing overall HIV rates in the U.S. include the use of anti-retroviral drug therapies (PrEP), not all groups of individuals have knowledge these drug therapies exist. The results of the current study underscore this point, and identify groups where increased outreach and education about PrEP are needed, namely among older aged women. As many social workers are employed in agencies that may provide case management services or work directly with individuals that may benefit from PrEP, these study findings provide valuable knowledge to whom social workers may direct their outreach and educational efforts concerning HIV prevention.