A Qualitative Examination of the Barriers and Facilitators of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake Among Heterosexual HIV Serodiscordant Couples

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dc.contributor.advisorMittal, Monaen_US
dc.contributor.authorMathews, Ronnealen_US
dc.contributor.departmentFamily Studiesen_US
dc.contributor.publisherDigital Repository at the University of Marylanden_US
dc.contributor.publisherUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md.)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-15T05:43:37Z
dc.date.available2022-06-15T05:43:37Z
dc.date.issued2022en_US
dc.description.abstractIt is estimated that there are 140,000 heterosexual serodiscordant couples in the United States. Given the considerable number of these couples and the high risk of HIV acquisition among non-infected partners, it is important to focus prevention methods on programs and interventions that target transmission of HIV infection among serodiscordant heterosexual couples. Currently, we understand little about factors that influence these couples to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). According to the CDC, this population is one of the highest risk groups, therefore, understanding the factors that influence them to use PrEP as a strategy in their HIV prevention regimen is an important step in preventing new HIV cases among this population. This study was a qualitative analysis that explored potential motivators and inhibitors for PrEP among heterosexual HIV serodiscordant couples. Secondary data from 26 qualitative interviews of HIV serodiscordant couples (N = 52 individuals) was examined to determine the factors that influenced the decision to use PrEP. Overall, there were five overarching themes from the Health Belief Model that manifested in all participant interviews. Perceived threat, perceived barriers (concerns about side effects, fear/anxiety about taking medication, indifference about HIV transmission), perceived benefits, cues to action (partner protection, PrEP use as condom replacement, PrEP use due to concerns about condom efficacy), and relational efficacy emerged as the most salient themes that determined whether couples chose to use PrEP as an HIV prevention method. Two constructs from the Theory of Gender and Power, sexual division of power and cathexis also emerged as relevant factors that influenced the decision to use PrEP in these couples. Findings from this study indicate that practitioners need to consider the motivators and barriers to PrEP uptake, and critically examine how power dynamics impact the decision to use PrEP. There is a need for the development of couples-based interventions to encourage PrEP uptake and adherence in mixed status couples.en_US
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.13016/fgs1-dbct
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/28776
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledPublic healthen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledHealth sciencesen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledHealth Belief Modelen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledHIVen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledPre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)en_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledPrEP uptakeen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledserodiscordant couplesen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledTheory of gender and poweren_US
dc.titleA Qualitative Examination of the Barriers and Facilitators of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake Among Heterosexual HIV Serodiscordant Couplesen_US
dc.typeDissertationen_US

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