Quantitative assessment of brief messages about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected black/African American and Hispanic/Latino MSM.

Background: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is efficacious; however, many men who have sex with men (MSM) (especially racial/ethnic minorities) are still unaware of and underuse it. Methods: The 2014 Messages4Men Study focuses on black and Hispanic/Latino MSM in Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Kansas City (n = 937). Brief (2-3 sentence) messages were tested: a PrEP message tailored for HIV-uninfected MSM (n = 607) and a PrEP message tailored for HIV-infected MSM (n = 330). After reading the message, participants reported believability and awareness, and intent to use PrEP and condoms. Analyses consisted of bivariate and multivariable approaches. Results: Among HIV-uninfected MSM, black (vs Hispanic/Latino) MSM indicated greater intentions to use PrEP (81% vs 70% respectively, P < 0.05); 72% overall had similar intentions to use condoms after hearing a PrEP message. PrEP information was new (63%) and believable (80%), with no racial/ethnic differences (P > 0.05). In multivariable analysis, men who reported recent condomless anal sex were less likely to report that the PrEP message enhanced their intent to use condoms in the future. Discussion: Several years into the availability of PrEP, black and Hispanic/Latino MSM continue to be unaware of PrEP and its benefits, although information is largely believable once provided. The HIV prevention field should be prepared to incorporate new information about HIV prevention options into brief messages delivered through technology and social media.