“We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana
Abstract Background Ghanaian men who have sex with men (MSM) face significant HIV disparities compared to the general population in Ghana. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool for HIV prevention. Previous studies on the perspectives of PrEP use among Ghanaian MSM identified hig...
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| Format: | Article |
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23564-9 |
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| author | Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are Amos Apreku Richard Panix Amoh-Otu Edem Zigah Prince Amu-Adu Samuel Amuah Laura Nyblade Kwasi Torpey LaRon E. Nelson |
| author_facet | Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are Amos Apreku Richard Panix Amoh-Otu Edem Zigah Prince Amu-Adu Samuel Amuah Laura Nyblade Kwasi Torpey LaRon E. Nelson |
| author_sort | Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ghanaian men who have sex with men (MSM) face significant HIV disparities compared to the general population in Ghana. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool for HIV prevention. Previous studies on the perspectives of PrEP use among Ghanaian MSM identified high interest in PrEP among this population. However, the knowledge from the previous research, which was the best available evidence at the time, was primarily hypothetical because those data were collected before any real-world implementation of PrEP in Ghana. The analysis aims to identify and understand the factors currently influencing PrEP acceptance. Methods We analyzed focus group (n = 8) data with Ghanaian MSM. We transcribed, coded, identified, and analyzed the responses using descriptive thematic analysis. Results We identified two broad themes. Under theme one, which indicated almost universal awareness of PrEP but inaccuracies about PrEP were common, these were the categories: (1) Awareness of PrEP and antiretroviral therapy [ART], (2) confusion between pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis, (3) event-driven perceptions of PrEP usage, (4) Mixed understanding of PrEP: distinguishing PrEP from ART, and (5) advocacy for a comprehensive educational approach. Theme two revealed that PrEP acceptability was influenced by a mix of individual and intrapersonal factors such as (1) hesitancy towards PrEP uptake due to perceived limited benefit, (2) extending HIV, sex, and same-gender sexual relations stigma to PrEP affects uptake, (3) perceived lack of information, concerns about side effects, and cost. Conclusions To bridge the gap between awareness, knowledge, and acceptability, HIV prevention programs should address access barriers and incorporate community-derived strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bb231d04efb54c6eb9568f1b8870cccf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-bb231d04efb54c6eb9568f1b8870cccf2025-08-20T04:01:43ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-07-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-23564-9“We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in GhanaGloria Aidoo-Frimpong0Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are1Amos Apreku2Richard Panix Amoh-Otu3Edem Zigah4Prince Amu-Adu5Samuel Amuah6Laura Nyblade7Kwasi Torpey8LaRon E. Nelson9Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at BuffaloCenter for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale UniversityDepartment of Biostatistics, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard UniversityYouth Alliance for Health and Human RightsBehavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of RochesterPriorities on Rights and Sexual HealthYouth Alliance for Health and Human RightsRTI InternationalDepartment of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of GhanaCenter for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale UniversityAbstract Background Ghanaian men who have sex with men (MSM) face significant HIV disparities compared to the general population in Ghana. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool for HIV prevention. Previous studies on the perspectives of PrEP use among Ghanaian MSM identified high interest in PrEP among this population. However, the knowledge from the previous research, which was the best available evidence at the time, was primarily hypothetical because those data were collected before any real-world implementation of PrEP in Ghana. The analysis aims to identify and understand the factors currently influencing PrEP acceptance. Methods We analyzed focus group (n = 8) data with Ghanaian MSM. We transcribed, coded, identified, and analyzed the responses using descriptive thematic analysis. Results We identified two broad themes. Under theme one, which indicated almost universal awareness of PrEP but inaccuracies about PrEP were common, these were the categories: (1) Awareness of PrEP and antiretroviral therapy [ART], (2) confusion between pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis, (3) event-driven perceptions of PrEP usage, (4) Mixed understanding of PrEP: distinguishing PrEP from ART, and (5) advocacy for a comprehensive educational approach. Theme two revealed that PrEP acceptability was influenced by a mix of individual and intrapersonal factors such as (1) hesitancy towards PrEP uptake due to perceived limited benefit, (2) extending HIV, sex, and same-gender sexual relations stigma to PrEP affects uptake, (3) perceived lack of information, concerns about side effects, and cost. Conclusions To bridge the gap between awareness, knowledge, and acceptability, HIV prevention programs should address access barriers and incorporate community-derived strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23564-9 |
| spellingShingle | Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are Amos Apreku Richard Panix Amoh-Otu Edem Zigah Prince Amu-Adu Samuel Amuah Laura Nyblade Kwasi Torpey LaRon E. Nelson “We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana BMC Public Health |
| title | “We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana |
| title_full | “We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | “We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | “We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana |
| title_short | “We have our reasons”: Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana |
| title_sort | we have our reasons exploring the acceptability of pre exposure prophylaxis among gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men in ghana |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23564-9 |
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