A recent study from the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney shows that
gay men who are taking the
HIV prevention medication
PrEP (
pre-exposure prophylaxis) also have significantly lower levels of HIV-related anxiety.
HIV transmission anxiety has affected sexual behaviors of
gay and bisexual men for more than 30 years, but this new research provides the strongest evidence globally to suggest that alongside driving down
HIV infection rates,
PrEP may be enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of gay and bisexual men.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis or
PrEP was made available in Australia through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in April 2018. When taken as directed, the medication prevents an
HIV negative person from acquiring
HIV.
Co-lead author on the paper, Phillip Keen from the Kirby Institute, said this research has important implications for our understanding of the benefits of PrEP.
Mr Keen told
Gay Health News via a phone interview, "We've known for some time that
PrEP is very good at protecting people from
HIV. This new evidence suggests that another benefit of taking
PrEP is improved mental health, through reduced anxiety about
HIV."
The team analyzed data from the Following Lives Undergoing Change study, a national, online survey of the sexual and drug use behaviors of more than 2,500
gay and bisexual men in Australia in 2018.
Senior researcher Mohamed A. Hammoud from the Kirby Institute, who was also co-lead author of the paper said, "Among men who are eligible for the
HIV prevention medication, we found that levels of anxiety were significantly lower among those men who were using
PrEP, compared to those who were not taking it.”
Currently in Australia,
PrEP can be prescribed by general practitioners to people at risk of
HIV infection, but according to a 2018 study, less than half of people at high risk for
HIV are currently taking the medication. "These findings about reduced anxiety should inform how
PrEP is promoted to
gay and bisexual men and could be used to support higher
PrEP use in Australia," said Mr Hammoud.
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) commented that this research represents a turning point in our understanding of how fear of
HIV has influenced sexual relationships for many
gay and bisexual men.
AFAO CEO, Adj A/Prof Darryl O'Donnel, commented,"
PrEP has provided many
gay and bisexual men with a highly effective strategy to prevent HIV transmission. It has helped many
gay men enjoy sex without being fearful of
HIV."
Reference: Use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) associated with lower HIV anxiety among gay and bisexual men in Australia who are at high risk of HIV infection : Keen, Phillip1; Hammoud, Mohamed A.1; Bourne, Adam2; Bavinton, Benjamin1; Holt, Martin3; Vaccher, Stefanie1; Haire, Bridget1; Saxton, Peter4; Jin, Fengyi1; Maher, Lisa1; Grulich, Andrew E.1; Prestage, Garrett1 JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes: November 20, 2019 - doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002232
https://journals.lww.com/jaids/Abstract/publishahead/Use_of_HIV_pre_exposure_prophylaxis__PrEP_.96303.aspx 
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