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Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: A Miracle Drug or a Moral Hazard

Completed
Conditions
Syphilis
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Interventions
Drug: PrEP
Registration Number
NCT04325555
Lead Sponsor
New York University
Brief Summary

The investigators study the behavioral consequences of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP on sexual health behaviors, sexual health outcomes, and partner selection preferences. The study collects observational, self-reported data on PrEP status, PrEP taking-history, PrEP adherence over the last 30 days, STD diagnosis history dating back to January 2015 up to December 2019, sexual health behaviors (e.g., positioning, number of lifetime/recent partners, condom adherence etc.), and various demographic characteristics. The survey finishes with a conjoint experiment which asks respondents to select between two potential partners, and follow-up question about each profiles. Potential partners' characteristics include recreational drug use and condom adherence. Recruitment is conducted via running an ad on Facebook in New York, London, Toronto and Sydney for comparative purposes, as these metro areas have varying levels of PrEP use and accessibility.

Detailed Description

See statistical analysis plan.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
2647
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18 years or above
  • living in the London, New York, Toronto or Sydney metro area
  • self-reported sex at birth is male
  • reported ever having sex with a male
Exclusion Criteria
  • not meeting the inclusion criteria

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Respondents on PrEPPrEPOn PrEP status will be operationalized in multiple ways, and sensitivity analyses will be conducted using multiple definitions as a result of the self-reported nature of the study. 1. Respondents "on PrEP" are respondents who reported that they are currently on PrEP 2. Respondents "on PrEP" are respondents who reported to have ever been on PrEP 3. When respondents are used as their own controls, years on PrEP will be those in which they reported to have been on PrEP for at lest 6 months, and PrEP initiation will be the first such year A comparison group will be constructed by matching on a variety of characteristics, when this method is applied. Most importantly, age, and STD testing frequency among others, which influence the likelihood of being on PrEP and via that avenue sexual practices, as well as the likelihood of detecting STDs (i.e., ascertainment bias). In other models adjustments will be made for these factors.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Syphilis diagnosisAll diagnosis data is collected in a time-stamped fashion between January 2015 and December 2019; diagnosis is reported within the year, but not in a specific month/day

Self-reported diagnosis of syphilis

Chlamydia diagnosisAll diagnosis data is collected in a time-stamped fashion between January 2015 and December 2019; diagnosis is reported within the year, but not in a specific month/day

Self-reported diagnosis of chlamydia

Gonorrhea diagnosisAll diagnosis data is collected in a time-stamped fashion between January 2015 and December 2019; diagnosis is reported within the year, but not in a specific month/day

Self-reported diagnosis of gonorrhea

Sexually transmitted diseasesAll diagnosis data is collected in a time-stamped fashion between January 2015 and December 2019; diagnosis is reported within the year, but not in a specific month/day

Self-reported diagnosis of any STD

Percent of time that condoms were used in sexual intercourse12 months

Self-reported condom adherence

Number of ongoing sexual relationshipsThrough study completion, approximately 2 months

Self-reported number of concurrent sexual partners

Number of sexual partners over the past 12 months12 months

Self-reported number of sexual partners over the past 12 months

Selecting a potential date with many recent partnersThrough study completion, approximately 2 months

The likelihood of selecting a potential date with 6 or more recent sexual partners in the conjoint experiment. Both AMCEs (average marginal component effects) and marginal means will be computed, see statistical analysis plan.

As part of a conjoint experiment the investigators expose participants to a partner selection task.

The attributes in the experiment and possible attribute values can be seen below:

Race/ethnicity: White/Black/Asian Education: High school/Undergraduate degree/Graduate degree Number of sexual partners (past 3 months): 1/2-5 partners/6 or more Recreational drug use: Never/Sometimes/Often Seeking a...: Committed relationship/Casual relationship Use of condoms: Occasional/Frequent

Selecting a potential date with frequent recreational drug useThrough study completion, approximately 2 months

The likelihood of selecting a potential date with frequent recreational drug use in the conjoint experiment. Both AMCEs (average marginal component effects) and marginal means will be computed, see statistical analysis plan.

As part of a conjoint experiment the investigators expose participants to a partner selection task.

The attributes in the experiment and possible attribute values can be seen below:

Race/ethnicity: White/Black/Asian Education: High school/Undergraduate degree/Graduate degree Number of sexual partners (past 3 months): 1/2-5 partners/6 or more Recreational drug use: Never/Sometimes/Often Seeking a...: Committed relationship/Casual relationship Use of condoms: Occasional/Frequent

Selecting a potential date with occasional condom adherenceThrough study completion, approximately 2 months

The likelihood of selecting a potential date with occasional condom use in the conjoint experiment. Both AMCEs (average marginal component effects) and marginal means will be computed, see statistical analysis plan.

As part of a conjoint experiment the investigators expose participants to a partner selection task.

The attributes in the experiment and possible attribute values can be seen below:

Race/ethnicity: White/Black/Asian Education: High school/Undergraduate degree/Graduate degree Number of sexual partners (past 3 months): 1/2-5 partners/6 or more Recreational drug use: Never/Sometimes/Often Seeking a...: Committed relationship/Casual relationship Use of condoms: Occasional/Frequent

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

New York University Abu Dhabi

🇦🇪

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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