Interest in HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men in West Africa (CohMSM ANRS 12324 – Expertise France)

Summary Objective To explore the interest in taking PrEP among Western African men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods A cross‐sectional survey was implemented at enrolment of HIV‐negative MSM in a multiple centre community‐based cohort study in four West African countries (Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo). A standardised face‐to‐face questionnaire collected data on socio‐demographic and behavioural characteristics over the previous 6 months. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression helped identify factors associated with the interest in taking PrEP. Results Of 564 participants, 87% were interested in taking PrEP. Interest in PrEP was associated with inconsistent condom use for anal sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–3.67), transactional sex (aOR: 2.02; 95% CI 1.11–3.71), searching for male sexual partners on the Internet in the previous month (aOR: 1.86; 95% CI 1.01–3.43), having a high level of self‐esteem (aOR: 1.20; 95% CI 1.06–1.36), having at least one sexually transmitted infections at enrolment (aOR: 5.08; 95% CI 1.40–18.4) and not being aware of PrEP (aOR: 2.03; 95% CI 1.04–3.96). Participants having sex with HIV‐positive male partners (aOR: 0.28; 95% CI 0.11–0.74), those being more sexually attracted to women than to men (aOR: 0.20; 95% CI 0.07–0.89) and those reporting psychological and material support from close friends (aOR: 0.33; 95% CI 0.15–0.73) were less interested in taking PreP. Conclusions Western African HIV‐negative MSM appear very interested in taking PrEP, especially those most at risk of HIV infection. PrEP implementation in a comprehensive prevention package should be considered urgently. Objectif Explorer l'intérêt de prendre la PrEP chez les hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec des hommes (HSH) en Afrique de l'Ouest. Méthodes Une enquête transversale a été mise en place pour recruter des HSH négatifs pour le VIH, dans une étude de cohorte multicentrique communautaire menée dans quatre pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest (Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina‐Faso, Togo). Un questionnaire standardisé de face à face a recueilli des données sur les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et comportementales au cours des six mois précédents. L'analyse descriptive et la régression logistique multivariée ont permis d'identifier les facteurs associés à l'intérêt de prendre la PrEP. Résultats Sur 564 participants, 87% étaient intéressés par la PrEP. L'intérêt pour la PrEP était associé à l'uti