Acceptability and Feasibility of a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Trial With Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

An exploratory mixed-methods study comparing a behavioral HIV-prevention intervention (Many Men, Many Voices or 3MV) alone to 3MV combined with a biomedical intervention (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP). After completing the 3MV intervention, participants were randomly assigned to one of three study arms: 1) daily PrEP with emtricitabine and tenofovir (FTC/TDF); 2) placebo pill control; or 3) “no pill” control. Behavioral and biomedical data were collected at baseline and every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. Qualitative interviews with a subset of participants were completed at the end of the study to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the trial. Eligible youth who declined to participate were asked to complete a brief opinion survey about PrEP. In addition, a focus group was conducted with young men ages 16-17 years who have sex with men and who met all eligibility requirements except for age to discuss issues of feasibility and acceptability should they be eligible to enroll in a future similar trial.