The Relationship Between Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Risky Sexual Behavior
by Justin J. Fogarty
Faculty Advisor: Cindy M. Meston, Graduate Student Advisor: Amelia M. Stanton
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a drug that demonstrates efficacy in reducing risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. However, some findings suggest that the drug may lead to riskier sexual practices, especially in the men who have sex with men (MSM) community, which could outweigh its potential benefits. On the contrary, other studies indicate little or no potential for an increase in risky sexual behavior. Due to this lack of clarity, providers may hesitate to prescribe PrEP for fear that their client may engage in risky sex, thereby adding to the already increasing rate of STI transmission. The present study aims to assess the connection between PrEP knowledge and engagement in risky sex. We hypothesize that as knowledge of PrEP increases, the propensity to engage in risky sex follows suit. If such a relationship is identified, we predict that several variables could mediate this association: sociosexuality, sexual compulsivity, and contraceptive attitudes. The results of the present study could reveal whether these variables could be used to personalize patients’ treatment and reduce the risks associated with unsafe sex in the target MSM population, thereby increasing PrEP’s utility.