Condom use philosophy and behaviors among young men who have sex with men: Variations among HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users and nonusers.
Holly B Fontenot, Douglas Krakower, Bradley Patrick White and 5 others
PMID 32282565WHAT IT FOUND
Young men using PrEP described condoms as less desirable or less necessary, while non-users saw them as essential.
In both groups, condomless sex was tied to primary partners, poor negotiation confidence, and intoxication.
Key findings
01PrEP users reported less condom use and expressed more negative condom attitudes.
02Non-users universally described positive attitudes toward condoms and viewed condoms as necessary.
03Across groups, condomless sex was linked to partner type, low confidence negotiating condom use, and intoxication.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study interviewed 31 young men from one geographic region and settings connected to an SGM-affirming health center, so the themes may not apply to other populations or regions. HIV status and PrEP use were self-reported, and insurance status was not assessed. The sample was purposive and small, so findings are not generalizable. Qualitative interviews describe what participants said about attitudes and behaviors; they do not measure whether counseling changes condom use or STI risk.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were reported, and no competing financial interests exist.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that PrEP reduces condom use or that tailored counseling prevents STIs. The study describes self-reported attitudes and behaviors in 31 young men, not a tested intervention or measured outcome.