Gay and Bi Men Still Don’t Know Enough about PrEP, Study Says

 

A recent survey shows only one in four queer men are aware of the medicine that reduces the risk of HIV infection.

By Michael Lambert

 

Tue, 2016-10-11

 

 

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Not enough gay and bisexual men know about medicines that prevent the transmission of HIV, according to a survey by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

According to the survey of HIV-negative men, only four in 10, or 40 percent, were aware that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication could lower the risk of contracting HIV. What’s worse, a recent doctor visit did not increase the likelihood of knowing what PrEP was or how gay and bisexual men could reduce their risk for infection.

“This is a new safe and effective tool in our toolbox to prevent HIV,” said study leader Julia Raifman. “But it does us no good if no one is using it.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, gay and bisexual men accounted for 67 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in 2014.

 

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