Use of pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a drug therapy which helps prevent HIV infection among those at high risk of contracting the disease, has reduced anxiety about HIV among gay and bisexual men, according to a study published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
The study includes data from the Following Lives Undergoing Change Study, a national observational study of lawful and illicit drug use among gay and bisexual men in Australia. In 2018, study participants responded to questions about anxiety regarding HIV transmission.
Among men who were eligible for PrEP, those who used the drug therapy reported lower levels of HIV anxiety. Men 25 years old and younger had higher HIV anxiety scores than older men.
The study concludes that in addition to helping prevent HIV, PrEP "was independently associated" with reduced HIV anxiety. This side effect of PrEP could be used to help promote it use among eligible men.