HIV Pre - exposure prophylaxis continuation and some related factors among men who have sex with men in Hanoi Medical University Hospital during COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 - 2021

Abstract

A cross - sectional study was conducted to describe the continuation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment and some related factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Sexual Health Promotion Clinic, Hanoi Medical University Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. From September 2021 to January 2022, during the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam, MSM aged 16 and older attending the clinic for PrEP refills were recruited to participate in the study. A total of 318 MSM were enrolled in this study. 64.8% MSM reported continued PrEP use during the COVID-19 pandemic. MSM who continued PrEP use self-reported significantly higher adherence to PrEP in the 30 days prior to the study compared to those who discontinued PrEP (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression modeling showed that MSM reporting high adherence to PrEP were associated with continuing PrEP during the COVID-19 pandemic (aOR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02 – 0.1). Ensuring medication adherence is crucial for continuing PrEP treatment, thus strategies to enhance and improve PrEP adherence among PrEP users in general and specific key populations are needed.