Researchers investigate whether consumers are interested in preventive HIV treatment

Recent research indicated that the antiretroviral drug Truvada reduces the risk of HIV infection by 44 percent when used as directed. However, a recent study published in the International Journal of STD and AIDS found that many consumers may not choose to use the medication for several reasons.

The investigation's results showed that out-of-pocket cost was the most commonly cited barrier that would deter individuals from using the drug, which is clinically known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Furthermore, many participants indicated that they would not use PrEP unless it was at least 95 percent effective and if they only had to take the medication immediately before a sexual encounter. However, the researchers noted that the drug is far less effective than this and it must be taken on a daily basis, regardless of sexual activity.

"Our study is important to the public because it used two separate methods - focus groups and 'conjoint analysis' - to examine the acceptability of this approach among potential users and considered an array of characteristics that could influence the actual real-world applicability of its use," said lead researcher Jerome Galea.