The Interruptions Study
2025
Dean Murphy, Jeanne Ellard, Tinonee Pym
Researchers at La Trobe University are conducting research on experiences of discontinuing oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by HIV-negative gay and bisexual men in Australia.
Who is eligible?
You can take part if you:
- Have regularly used PrEP, now or in the past (including regular on-demand use)
- Have at some point stopped taking PrEP, either permanently or temporarily
- Are living in Australia (you don’t need to be a permanent resident).
- Aged 18 years +
- Identify as a gay or bisexual man (including trans men)
- Are currently eligible to be prescribed PrEP
What is involved?
Participation involves a 60-minute confidential audio-recorded interview. We will ask you questions about:
- Your experiences of discontinuing PrEP
- Reasons for recommencing PrEP or reasons for not recommencing PrEP
- Barriers to recommencing PrEP use
- Perceptions of HIV risk
- HIV prevention strategies used during periods of non-PrEP use, and sexual health management when not using PrEP
Interviews will be conducted by phone or Zoom.
You will be compensated for your time with a $50 retail gift card.
To participate or find out more
Email: Tinonee Pym at interruptions@latrobe.edu.au
Or you can request we contact you.
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.
Why join the study?
By sharing your experience through the Interruptions study, you can help
improve policy and health promotion to support continuation or recommencement of PrEP and Inform new clinical care processes for retaining discontinued PrEP users in sexual health care.
How do I hear about the results?
Sign up to hear more about the study
Latrobe University ethics reference HEC24535
Partners & Funding
The Interruptions Study is funded by Health Equity Matters the national federation for Australia's leading HIV & LGBTIQA+ organisations.