Information Seeking and MSM's Beliefs about PrEP and Condoms

This study examined how frequently men who have sex with men (MSM) used a selection of sources, including news media, social media, health organizations, and dating/hookup apps, for HIV information. Additionally, the study explored the extent to which MSM's efficacy beliefs about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and perceptions of condom importance could be predicted by the sources they used. A sample of MSM (N= 969) were surveyed online. Results showed that respondents obtained information about HIV most often from HIV organizations, LGBT organizations, and dating/hookup apps, particularly the apps Growlr, Scruff, and Grindr. Use of the app Scruff was the strongest source-based predictor of beliefs about both PrEP and condoms. Implications for health promotion are discussed.

Automated summary

This study found that men who have sex with men most frequently obtained information about HIV from HIV organizations, LGBT organizations, and dating/hookup apps, with Scruff app being the strongest predictor of beliefs about PrEP and condoms. Implications for health promotion were discussed.