title: Views of HIV-negative partners in heterosexual serodiscordant relationships regarding HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a qualitative study.
abstract: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may be an effective option for HIV prevention among heterosexual serodiscordant couples. However, there are knowledge gaps in social research about PrEP in heterosexual serodiscordant relationships, including motivations and barriers to its use and possible impacts of PrEP uptake on the sexual practices of these couples. The aim of this study was to explore the views of HIV-negative men and women in stable serodiscordant heterosexual relationships about the possible use of PrEP. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to understand participants' views on the use of PrEP. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or by telephone and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. Results: In total, 13 HIV-negative partners were interviewed; six men and seven women. Participants demonstrated a high interest in the use of PrEP for conception. PrEP was also considered an option for general HIV prevention, although men saw more benefits for this use than women. Participants' main concerns around PrEP usage were about cost, efficacy, daily adherence and side-effects. HIV-positive partner support is likely to play a central role for PrEP uptake and adherence. Conclusions: This study is one of the first studies to explore the views of HIV-negative heterosexual partners in serodiscordant relationships around the use of PrEP while trying to conceive, as well as for general HIV prevention. These study results provide new insights for the further development of guidelines governing the use of PrEP for serodiscordant couples.
authors.affiliation: Sexual Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.|Corresponding author. Email: joafalcao@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joana R S P
authors.initials: JRSP
authors.lastname: Falcão
authors.affiliation: Sexual Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.|Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia.|Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Catriona C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.affiliation: Gender and Women's Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Cameryn C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia.|Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Jade E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bilardi
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia.|Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Marcus Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Iryna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zablotska
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia.|Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Fairley
authors.affiliation: Sexual Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.|Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia.
authors.forename: Henrietta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Williams
keywords: Australia; HIV prevention; couples; qualitative