Socio-behavioral correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis use and correct adherence in men who have sex with men in West Africa
Authors: Eubanks August , Coulibaly Bakary , Dembélé Keita Bintou , Anoma Camille , Dah Ter Tiero Elias , Mensah Ephrem , Kaba Sékou , Lokrou Kpassou Julien , Ouedraogo Faïçal Rodrigue , Badjassim Alèda M. Fidèle , Maradan Gwenaëlle , Bourrelly Michel , Mora Marion , Riegel Lucas , Rojas Castro Daniela , Yaya Issifou , Spire Bruno , Laurent Christian , Sagaon-Teyssier Luis ,   on behalf of the CohMSM-PrEP Study Group, Ouedraogo Sayouba , Granouillac Bruno , Serrano Laetitia , Peeters Martine , Berenger Cyril , Fiorentino Marion , Palvadeau Paméla , Vuylsteke Bea , De Baetselier Irith , Reyniers Thijs , Crucitti Tania , Diallo Fodié , Coulibaly Alou , Maïga Kader , Camara Drissa , Diarra Mahamadou , Ouologuem Aly , Keita Abdoul Aziz , Traoré Fodé , Cissé Oumar , Ouary Bréhima Abdrahamane , Kanta Ibrahima , Kouame Malan Jean-Baptiste , Kotchi Rachelle , Aka Niamkey Thomas , Coulibaly Noufo Hamed , Koffi Jean Armel Ekessi , N’guessan Frédéric Dibi , Yoro Stéphane-Alain Babo , Cissé Adama , Traoré Issa , Rajaonarivelo Camille , Ouedraogo Joseph , Touré Juste Rodrigue , Coulibaly Christian , Ouedraogo Mamadou , Thio Elisabeth , Ilboudo Ousseni , Traoré Abdoulazziz , Comsiambo Honoré , Agboyibor Richard Mawuényégan Kouamivi , Attisso Anani , Kokouba Anouwarsadat , Badjassim Aléda Mawuli , Agbomadji Kouakou Kokouvi Selom , Attiogbe Messan , Yaka Kossi Jeff , Ekon Agbégnigan Lorette , Bimba Julien , Dagnra Claver Anoumou Yaotsè 
Published: September 2022

Background

Multiple barriers compromise pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) engagement (i.e., use and adherence) in men who have sex with men (MSM). In low/middle-income countries, little is known about PrEP engagement in this population. In West Africa, the CohMSM-PrEP study was one of the rare interventions providing PrEP to MSM. We estimated PrEP use and correct adherence rates in CohMSM-PrEP, together with associated factors over time. 

Methods

CohMSM-PrEP recruited MSM in four community-based clinics in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo. Quarterly follow-up included collecting socio-behavioral data, and providing a comprehensive HIV prevention package, PrEP (daily or event-driven), and peer educator (PE)-led counselling. Using repeated measures, multivariate generalized estimating equations models were used to identify factors associated with self-reported i) PrEP use and ii) correct PrEP adherence during participants’ most recent anal intercourse (defined as four pills/week for daily users and 2 + 1 + 1 for event-driven users).

Results

Five hundred twenty participants were included with a median follow-up time of 12 months (IQR 6–21). Of the 2839 intercourses declared over the follow-up period, PrEP use was self-reported for 1996 (70%), and correct PrEP adherence for 1461 (73%) of the latter. PrEP use was higher in participants who also attended participating clinics outside of scheduled visits (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% Confidence Interval, CI], p-value; 1.32[1.01–1.71], 0.040), and in those who practiced condomless anal sex (1.86[1.54–2.24], < 0.001). Correct adherence was higher in those who often contacted PE outside of scheduled visits (2.16[1.01–4.64], 0.047) and in participants who adopted receptive/versatile sexual positions with stable partners (1.36[1.03–1.81], 0.030). Instead, after an interaction effect between financial situation and regimen was tested, it was lower in event-driven users with a difficult/very difficult financial situation (comfortable/just making ends meet & daily, 4.19[2.56–6.86], < 0.001; difficult/very difficult & daily, 6.47[4.05–10.30], < 0.001; comfortable/just making ends meet & event-driven, 1.63[1.22–2.17], 0.001), and in participants who felt alone (0.76[0.58–0.99], 0.042).

Conclusions

Community-based clinic attendance and PE contact outside of scheduled visits were both associated with higher PrEP engagement, but some socially and economically marginalized participants struggled with adherence. As scale-up continues in West Africa, we recommend implementing community-based interventions and providing extra support for vulnerable users to ensure adequate PrEP engagement.