HIV Prevention Strategies for Men Who Have Sex with Men
Summary
Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain disproportionately affected by HIV, prompting a multifaceted prevention agenda that combines behavioural, biomedical and structural approaches. Core behavioural measures include consistent condom use, routine HIV testing and peer‐led education to reduce high‐risk practices. Biomedical interventions have transformed the landscape: pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers effective pre‐emptive protection for HIV‐negative individuals at risk, post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) provides urgent prophylaxis after potential exposure, and widespread antiretroviral therapy (ART) achieves viral suppression in people living with HIV, effectively preventing onward transmission. Structural and social strategies address stigma, legal barriers and social determinants that hinder access to prevention services. Digital innovations—from geosocial networking apps to secure electronic serostatus platforms—facilitate partner notification, disclosure and linkage to care. Integrated “combination prevention” packages are tailored to local epidemics, ensuring that interventions resonate with diverse subpopulations of MSM across geographic and cultural contexts.
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HIV Prevention Strategies for Men Who Have Sex with Men publication trend
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Technical terms
Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): Administration of antiretroviral medication to HIV‐negative individuals before potential exposure to prevent infection.
Post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP): Short‐term antiretroviral treatment initiated after a suspected HIV exposure to avert seroconversion.
Viral suppression: Reduction of HIV RNA in the blood to undetectable levels through consistent antiretroviral therapy, preventing disease progression and transmission.
Serostatus disclosure: Communication of one’s HIV test result to sexual partners to inform prevention decisions.
Geosocial networking apps: Mobile applications that connect individuals based on geographic proximity for social and sexual encounters.
Combination prevention: Integration of biomedical, behavioural and structural interventions tailored to the specific context to achieve maximal reduction in HIV incidence.
References
- Factors associated with HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use among Asian men who have sex with men in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific (2024).
- WeChat-Based HIV e-Report, a New Approach for HIV Serostatus Requests and Disclosures Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Prospective Subgroup Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth (2023).
- The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health (2018).
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