Summary
Background. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the use of antiretroviral medication, taken to prevent the acquisition of HIV infection. World Health Organization (WHO) and The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that countries should consider integrating PrEP into their existing HIV prevention package for those most at risk of HIV infection, starting with men who have sex with men (MSM). In Lithuania, there is no approved methodology for prescribing PrEP, the number of people taking it and the need for prophylaxis are unknown.
Aim. To assess the need for and availability of PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM), and to identify barriers to accessing this prophylaxis.
Methodology. An anonymous online survey was conducted, respondents were asked questions on their sexual habits and risk behaviours, and PrEP. A literature search was performed in the PubMed database. Selected articles were published in 2019–2023 on the topic of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.
Results. 51.44% of men surveyed expressed a need for PrEP, more often those who had had sex without a condom, under the influence of psychoactive substances, or with a history of sexually transmitted infections in the last year. 4.33% of respondents currently use PrEP and 4.81% used it in the past.
Conclusions. Most people in the MSM group in Lithuania are aware of PrEP, but only a small proportion of them are taking it. Unlike in other EU countries or the USA, antiretrovirals as PrEP are not reimbursed in Lithuania, and the need for prophylaxis among people at risk of HIV infection is not met. To reduce HIV prevalence, prevention needs continued attention, including increasing access to PrEP for key populations at risk and development and implementation of national guidelines considering the standardized guidelines developed by ECDC.
