Awareness and Knowledge of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents Assigned Male at Birth in the United States
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice
Published on: March 5, 2020
Margaret Matson1,2, Mara Nery-Hurwit1,2, Shariell Crosby1,2
1Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Abstract:
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents assigned male at birth are at increased risk for HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily pill taken to prevent HIV, which the United States Food and Drug Administration approved for minors under age 18 years weighing at least 77.5 lb in 2018. A lack of awareness and knowledge of PrEP are barriers to uptake among adults and adolescents, but SGM adolescents' awareness and knowledge about PrEP remain underexplored and no studies have assessed SGM adolescents' informational needs. We collected data on 59 SGM adolescents' (ages 14-18 years) awareness, knowledge, and questions about PrEP in an online survey and six online focus groups. Although a majority of SGM adolescents (83.1%) were aware of PrEP before the study, many wanted more information about side effects and how to navigate potential barriers to PrEP initiation. Findings can inform public health efforts to promote PrEP knowledge and uptake among SGM adolescents.
Related Concept Videos
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....
Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Sex-linked Disorders

