Grindr, the hookup app for gay and
bisexual men, has surveyed its users about using pre-exposure
prophylaxis, or PrEP – commonly known as Truvada.
More than 25 percent of users who took
the survey said that they were currently taking Truvada, which
reduces the risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, from
sex when taken regularly.
Ten percent of respondents said that
acquiring a prescription was a struggle. Some doctors have argued
that the pill does not protect against other types of sexually
transmitted diseases and may encourage risky behavior. The majority
of men surveyed said that they did not hear about Truvada from a
doctor.
Latino men were the group least likely
to be taking Truvada.
Grindr said that it would use the
results to target its efforts encouraging use of PrEP for those at
risk.
“Seeing that Latinos were so much
less likely to be accessing PrEP, we will prioritize the circulation
of PrEP information in Spanish,” Grindr said. “And seeing that
many don’t know where to get it or are nervous to ask their usual
doctor, we intend to undertake a mapping project of LGBTQ clinics in
the country so more people will know what their options are.”