LAI-ART Awareness, Willingness, Barriers and Facilitators among Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV in the US South.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 21(5)2024 May 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38791816
ABSTRACT
Black sexual minority men (BSMM) continue to bear a disproportionate burden of HIV in the United States, with the highest incidence and prevalence in the southern region of the country. In Texas, BSMM living with HIV (BSMM+) have the lowest rates of viral suppression of all SMM and have lower antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence than white and Hispanic SMM. Long-acting injectable ART (LAI-ART) can potentially overcome several barriers to daily oral ART adherence (e.g., stigma, forgetfulness, pill fatigue). However, little is known about the knowledge, willingness, barriers, and facilitators regarding LAI-ART among BSMM+. From July 2022 to September 2023, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 27 BSMM+ from the Houston and Dallas Metropolitan Areas, Texas. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Most men knew about LAI-ART, but their understanding varied based on their existing sources of information. Some men were enthusiastic, some were cautious, and some reported no interest in LAI-ART. Barriers to LAI-ART included a lack of public insurance coverage of LAI-ART; fear of needles and side effects; the frequency of injection visits; the requirement of viral suppression before switching from oral ART to LAI-ART; and satisfaction with oral daily ART. Motivators of LAI-ART uptake included the eliminated burden of daily pills and reduced anxiety about possibly missing doses. BSMM+ may be among those who could most benefit from LAI-ART, though more research is needed to understand which factors influence their willingness and how the barriers to LAI-ART might be addressed, particularly among diverse communities of SMM of color.
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Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Infecções por HIV
/
Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde
/
Minorias Sexuais e de Gênero
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos