Most people stopped taking PrEP because they weren't having casual sex. But there's concern a lack of knowledge around starting and stopping the medication could increase risks of HIV transmission.
The survey found men who discontinued using PrEP were more likely to have stopped having sex with casual partners during the coronavirus pandemic, but that one in six men reported still doing so.
Dr Hammoud said although there had been a substantial reduction in casual sex when social distancing restrictions first came into place, patterns of sexual activity were likely to change as COVID-19 restrictions did. One of the major concerns about changes in PrEP use was that most men who stopped using the medication during the COVID-19 pandemic had no previous experience of stopping and then restarting PrEP.to protective coverage, potential side effects of restarting, and the need for HIV testing prior to reinitiation of PrEP," they wrote.
Nicolas Parkhill, CEO of LGBTIQ community health organisation ACON, said targeted messaging about recommencement of PrEP was critical.Most people take PrEP medication daily, but it is also possible to use it intermittently — known as "on-demand" use. This requires taking PrEP between two and 24 hours before having sex, and then again afterwards.
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