Predictors of interest in taking pre‐exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men who used a rapid HIV ‐testing site in M ontreal ( A ctuel sur R ue)

Objectives The effective use of pre‐exposure prophylaxis ( PrEP ) as an HIV prevention strategy depends on its uptake by individuals at high risk of infection. Few C anadian data are available on interest in PrEP among men who have sex with men ( MSM ). This study aimed to identify predictors of interest in PrEP among MSM clients of a rapid HIV ‐testing site in M ontreal's gay village (Actuel sur Rue). Methods Data were collected using a self‐administered and a community agent‐administered questionnaire. Among men reporting at least one male sexual partner and visiting the site between J uly 2012 and N ovember 2013, we aimed to identify sociodemographic, sexual and temporal predictors of interest in taking effective PrEP with logistic regression analyses (univariate and multivariable). Results Over half (55%; n  = 653) of the sample of 1179 MSM were interested in PrEP . Among the 14 variables considered in the univariate analyses, only (younger) age, (greater) number of sexual partners (in the past 3 months), being part of a serodiscordant couple (in the past 12 months), ever combining sex with drugs and temporal events were associated with interest in PrEP at P  < 0.20 and were included in the multivariable analyses. In the multivariable model, only being part of a serodiscordant couple [adjusted odds ratio ( aOR ) 2.56; 95% confidence interval ( CI ) 1.44–4.58], having > 10 partners ( aOR 1.73; 95% CI 1.17–2.55) and responding after the publication of Quebec's interim PrEP guidelines ( aOR 1.82; 95% CI 1.22–2.71) proved significant. Conclusions In this assessment of predictors of PrEP interest among C anadian MSM , partnering issues and the arrival of PrEP guidelines in Q uebec (10 J uly 2013) were most closely linked to PrEP interest.