U=U: "Undetectable Equals Untransmittable" Perceptions Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Active Duty Service Members: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Jessica T CampbellAmanda N GesselmanM Colten StatenGregory A CarterPublished in: The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC (2024)
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) is a key message emphasizing that antiretroviral therapy suppresses HIV and prevents its sexual transmission. However, dissemination of U=U varies among health care providers, potentially leading to knowledge gaps among patients. Little research exists on the understanding of U=U among active duty men who have sex with men (MSM) in the U.S. military. Our cross-sectional, online study examines 222 active duty MSM to determine prevalence of accurate knowledge of U=U and demographic predictors of misinformation. Participants received a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) overview and were asked to indicate if the statement "Undetectable equals Untransmittable" was true or false. Although the majority accurately understood U=U (70%; n = 156), approximately 30% did not (n = 66); a binary logistic regression revealed lower U=U understanding among White, bisexual, unmarried, and Marines/Navy participants. Standardized education on U=U is crucial for resolving knowledge gaps and combating stigmas surrounding HIV treatment.
Keyphrases
- men who have sex with men
- healthcare
- hiv positive
- hiv testing
- antiretroviral therapy
- cross sectional
- social media
- hiv infected
- risk factors
- health information
- human immunodeficiency virus
- mental health
- signaling pathway
- hiv aids
- physical activity
- hiv infected patients
- replacement therapy
- posttraumatic stress disorder
- combination therapy
- smoking cessation