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This study examined LGBTQ+ college students’ awareness of, and knowledge about, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as a method of HIV prevention. PEP is an effective HIV prevention medication taken after exposure, yet it is not widely known by the public and is underutilized. Studies that have examined sexual health risks among LGBTQ+ college students have found low levels of HIV prevention despite high-risk behaviors. There appear to be no studies to date that have examined PEP among LGBTQ+ college students. It is vital that factors related to the adoption of PEP be examined to inform future design of effective HIV prevention methods. Utilizing the Health Literacy Skills Framework, this study examined associations between demographics, individual resources, capabilities, and prior knowledge and LGBTQ+ college students’ awareness and knowledge of PEP.
Methods
This cross-sectional, quantitative study used a survey to collect data at a large Southeastern university. An online survey tool that was informed by the literature was developed in Qualtrics and piloted with individuals associated with the on-campus LGBTQ+ organization, Pride Commons, including LGBTQ+ college students (N=3) and a graduate research assistant (N=1).The survey included measures, such as demographics, connection to the LGBT community, healthcare access, use of Student Health Services, and the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Scale (HIV-KS). A convenience sampling method was employed, including distributing the survey to members of Pride Commons and on various social media sites. The final sample consisted of 131 LGBTQ+ college students. Data were analyzed using Stata.
Results
Regarding awareness of PEP, 81 (73.6%) participants were aware, compared to 29 (26.36%) who were not aware. Those who had engaged in prior HIV testing were three and a half times more likely to be aware of PEP than those who had never been tested. Only those participants who indicated that they were aware of PEP received questions regarding PEP-related knowledge using display logic in Qualtrics, including ways to pay for the medication and the timeframe in which it should be taken after HIV exposure. Those 81 respondents received six items that represented knowledge of PEP. Missing data for these six PEP knowledge items was extensive. Each item was skipped by at least half of the 81 respondents who received these items.
Conclusions and Implications
This study addressed a significant gap in the existing literature, as there appear to be no studies to date that have examined factors related to PEP for HIV prevention among LGBTQ+ college students. Results provide support for prior HIV testing positively impacting PEP awareness. Non-response related to PEP knowledge points to a potential lack of knowledge about the medication and its function. Even though future studied are needed, this exploratory study aimed to set the foundation for which to do so. In the meantime, health service systems can utilize the findings of this study to design and implement PEP information programming to increase knowledge about the medication, with the hopes of reducing HIV transmission among college-age LGBTQ+ individuals.