Patterns of PrEP and condom use among PrEP users in Belgium: a web-based longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• HIV Prevention
• Sexual Health

Background:

• Tailoring pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services is crucial for increasing uptake.
• Understanding PrEP use patterns, sexual behaviors, and condom use over time is essential for effective service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patterns of PrEP use and associated sexual behaviors among PrEP users in Belgium.
• To identify distinct categories of PrEP use and analyze their relationship with demographic and behavioral factors.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal web-based study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2022.
• Participants completed three questionnaires every six months, assessing PrEP use, condom use, and sexual partnerships.
• Statistical analyses, including Fisher's exact test and ANOVA, were used to compare groups, and alluvial diagrams visualized temporal patterns.

Main Results:

• Five distinct PrEP use categories were identified: daily, almost daily, long period, short period, and no PrEP use.
• PrEP use patterns remained relatively stable over the study period.
• Daily and almost daily PrEP users reported higher numbers of casual/anonymous partners and more frequent sex with these partners compared to intermittent users.

Conclusions:

• PrEP use patterns show limited variation over time and are associated with specific sexual behaviors.
• These findings support the development of tailored PrEP care strategies to enhance service delivery and optimize uptake.