Risk of STIs when on PrEP– what do users think? Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study of self-perceived versus objective risk of sexually transmitted infections in gay, bisexual male and transfemale users of Pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV
IRAS ID
364760
Contact name
Harriet Wallace
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance Manager
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective medication (oral or injection) used to prevent HIV transmission and its use in the UK has increased annually since NHS availability in 2020. PrEP does not provide protection against other STIs such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and genital herpes, and condoms are recommended to reduce the risk of these. Cases of STIs remain high across England with a disproportionate impact on GBMSM.
Prevalence of STIs varies across different populations of PrEP users, and there are contrasting findings on whether there is an association between PrEP use and increased STIs. Studies have reported that increasing PrEP use results in decreases in condom use. Research outside the UK has found ambivalence towards the risk of treatable bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis) in PrEP users. There is limited exploration of this attitude amongst UK users of PrEP.
The study will target a UK city-based population with a large number of PrEP users. GBMSM and transfemales using PrEP over 18 years will be eligible. Mixed methods will be used to increase the participants’ voice: an anonymous questionnaire (paper or via an online survey platform), and indepth interviews with those who consent.
Questions will be asked on PrEP use, condom use, awareness and thoughts on STI risk, changes in sexual behaviours since starting PrEP. The survey will be advertised through local Sexual health clinics, on online PrEP request forms and community groups in order to reach a wide range of participants.
The survey will run for 12 weeks and interviews will be conducted following this. Results will be used to understand current sexual practices in this population to better inform future sexual health messages and STI prevention.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EM/0085
Date of REC Opinion
7 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion