The Interruptions Study
Researchers at La Trobe University conducted research on experiences of discontinuing oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by HIV-negative gay and bisexual men in Australia.
The study aims were to:
- document patterns of PrEP use
- identify reasons for and experiences of PrEP discontinuation and recommencement
- document HIV prevention strategies used when not taking PrEP
- identify enablers and barriers to recommencing PrEP
- explore the acceptability of and preferences for alternative and future PrEP modalities and delivery models
- provide insights for PrEP guidelines, policy and health promotion to support PrEP retention over time.
Interruptions
This report presents findings from the Interruptions study which investigated experiences of discontinuing and recommencing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among gay, bisexual and queer men and non-binary people.
Meet the Project Team
Dean Murphy (he/him) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University. Dean’s work focuses on experiences of HIV diagnosis, stigma, biomedical HIV prevention technologies, sexual health and well-being, and the meanings of drug consumption.
Jeanne Ellard (she/her) is a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University. Jeanne’s work focuses on perceptions and understandings of HIV risk and prevention, experiences of HIV diagnosis, the social dimensions of biomedicine and stigma reduction.
Tinonee Pym (she/her) holds research positions at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University and the University of South Australia. Her research focuses on LGBTQ+ communities, including the intersection of LGBTQ+ digital cultures and health; Australian queer screen audiences; and LGBTQ+ histories and life narratives.
Partners and funding
The Interruptions Study is funded by Health Equity Matters the national federation for Australia's leading HIV & LGBTIQA+ organisations.
Latrobe University ethics reference HEC24535