Pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis awareness among men who have sex with men in Brazil: a national survey

Background: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) have been demonstrated to be crucial strategies in preventing HIV transmission. However, there is variability in the adoption of these measures within the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil. Considering the Brazilian context of HIV prevention strategies, it is evident that the lack of awareness of these strategies is a primary and significant barrier to their dissemination. Our objective is to examine the factors associated with awareness of PEP and PrEP in a sample of Brazilian MSM. Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study, exclusively online, with a sample of 2,250 MSM. To assess the factors linked to higher or lower awareness, we employed adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results: The awareness of PEP and PrEP was reported by 1,228 (54.5%) and 1,044 (46.4%) MSM, respectively. Several factors were associated with awareness of both measures, including income, self-identification as heterosexual or bisexual, knowledge of one's HIV status, and more frequent utilization of healthcare services. Conclusion: The barriers associated with personal, social, and structural determinants influence the awareness of PEP and PrEP among Brazilian MSM.