The study, published in AIDS and Behavior, analyzes data from an online survey of 937 PrEP users in Ukraine conducted in early 2022, just days before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Nearly 40 percent of participants reported experiencing at least one form of IPV in the previous six months, with sexual and emotional violence being the most common. Despite enrolment in PrEP programs, only 35.4 percent of respondents reported excellent or very good adherence. Reported reasons for missed doses included COVID-19 restrictions, changes in sexual activity, use of alternative HIV prevention strategies such as on-demand PrEP, and health or psychological factors. Interestingly, the Nikolay and colleagues found that some forms of IPV, particularly sexual violence and monitoring or controlling behaviours by partners, were associated with higher PrEP adherence. This may indicate that some survivors use PrEP as a protective strategy against HIV infection. The findings highlight the importance of integrating trauma-informed IPV screening and support within PrEP programs and developing flexible HIV prevention services, particularly during periods of social and political disruption.

The article, “Intimate Partner Violence Victimisation and HIV PrEP Adherence Among Gay, Bisexual Men, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ukraine,” is published in the journal AIDS and Behavior.