PrEP & heterosexual serodiscordant couples study

The aim of this study was to explore the views of HIV-negative men and women in stable serodiscordant heterosexual relationships about the possible use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This was one of the first studies looking at attitudes towards PrEP in heterosexual communities.

In total, 13 HIV-negative partners were interviewed; six men and seven women. Their main concerns around using PrEP were the cost, the treatment not being fully effective, taking a tablet every day and side-effects. The HIV-negative partner within the heterosexual couple would be willing to consider taking PrEP as part of an approach to HIV prevention especially when trying to conceive a child free of HIV infection. Men were more likely than women to entertain the idea of PrEP as they felt it might improve sexual pleasure if they could stop using condoms. Women did not feel as strongly about this as men.