Report

Longitudinal Trends in PrEP Familiarity, Attitudes, Use and Discontinuation Among a National Probability Sample of Gay and Bisexual Men

2016–2018
February 2021

PrEP is one of the most effective HIV prevention strategies, however, use among gay and bisexual men in the U.S. remains low. Using data from the Generations Study, this report explores familiarity, attitudes, and use of PrEP among gay and bisexual men. It appeared in PLOS ONE in December 2020.

AUTHORS
  • Ian W. Holloway
    Associate Professor and Chair of the Doctoral Program, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
  • Evan A. Krueger
    Postdoctoral Scholar, USC Keck School of Medicine
  • Ilan H. Meyer
    Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy
  • Marguerita Lightfoot
    Professor of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine
  • David M. Frost
    Associate Professor, University College London
  • Phillip M. Hammack
    Professor of Psychology, UCSC
Highlights
The study analyzes PrEP use and familiarity over three years of data collected between 2016 and 2018.
Familiarity with PrEP was high and increased over time, however consistent use was low.
Barriers to PrEP uptake include lack of access to a provider, poor patient-provider communication, and stigma.
Data Points
60%
of participants were familiar with PrEP at year 1
92%
were familiar with PrEP at year 3
4%
of eligible participants used PrEP at year 1
8%
used PrEP at year 3
68%
of participants had positive attitudes toward PrEP at year 1
73%
had positive attitudes toward PrEP at year 3
14%
of those who used PrEP at any wave used it consistently across all years
Longitudinal Trends in PrEP Familiarity, Attitudes, Use and Discontinuation Among a National Probability Sample of Gay and Bisexual Men