Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment adherence and related factors among men have sex with men in Nghe An, 2022

Abstract

A cross - sectional study was conducted among 400 men who have sex with men (MSM) on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Nghe An in 2022 to describe the treatment adherence and related factors. With definition of treatment adherence is to ensure three criteria: taking the medicine on time, in the right way and not forgetting to take it once in 1 month, the results showed that the adherence rate in the past 1 month was not high (54.8%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors that increased PrEP adherence among MSM group were no drug side effects (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.01 - 3.15) , no discomfort with the drug taste (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.21 - 4.02), distance from home to clinic less than 10km (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1,03 - 3.27), waiting time for examination and taking medicine was fast (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.60 - 4.19) and no difficulty receiving examination and medicine (OR = 3.94; 95% CI: 2.28 - 6.81). Enhancing the role of service providers in counseling, improving the clinic procedures, and expanding the PrEP distribution sites will be effective strategies to increase PrEP adherence among MSM populations.