HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis preparedness among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Myanmar: A survey of service-engaged MSM in Yangon and Mandalay

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – the use of HIV antiretroviral (ARV) treatment by HIV-negative individuals to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV - is now recognised as an emerging and fundamental biomedical component of combination HIV prevention approaches. 

With 39% of men who have sex with men (MSM) in this study classified as willing to use PrEP and high rates of recent HIV testing, PrEP may be a viable addition to comprehensive HIV prevention strategies for MSM in Myanmar. The recent decentralisation of Myanmar’s health system has seen HIV testing and other services increasingly offered through NGOs and recent investments in the implementation and maintenance of accessible HIV services for MSM may offer an important foundation for PrEP programmes. Demonstration or implementation projects that examine the effectiveness of PrEP in a real life setting, including identification of issues related to drug adherence and logistics associated with PrEP dispensing and monitoring, will be an important next step to guide any future implementation of PrEP in Myanmar.