Introduction

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) helps to decrease HIV acquisition and transmission rates. The purpose of this study was to assess awareness of HIV PrEP and willingness to use it, if available, among individuals residing in Buea, Cameroon.

Methods

Residents in different communities throughout Buea, Cameroon participated in the study through survey completion with their responses assessed by age, marital status, highest level of education completed, profession, and health area (urban or rural).

Results

421 participants completed the survey with the majority being 20–29 years of age, single, having secondary or tertiary education, residing in rural Cameroonian areas. Eighty percent of respondents had not previously heard of HIV PrEP. Ninety-five percent of the study sample expressed willingness to use HIV PrEP, if available. Participants ages 40 years old and above were less aware of HIV PrEP than those 39 years old and younger. Primary education, serving in the role of a nurse, doctor, or scientist, along with hospital affiliations were characteristics closely associated with HIV PrEP awareness. Participants younger than 20 years old were less likely to report willingness to use HIV PrEP whereas married participants found HIV PrEP to be a more favorable option.

Conclusions

Awareness of HIV PrEP was minimal with healthcare personnel having more familiarity. Willingness to use HIV PrEP decreased by age but higher among married participants. Further promotion of HIV PrEP and facilitating its accessibility can lead to less transmissions of HIV worldwide.

中文翻译：

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社区居民对艾滋病毒暴露前预防的认识和意愿

介绍

人类免疫缺陷病毒 (HIV) 暴露前预防 (PrEP) 有助于降低 HIV 感染率和传播率。本研究的目的是评估居住在喀麦隆布埃阿的个人对 HIV PrEP 的认识以及使用它的意愿（如果有）。

方法

喀麦隆布埃阿不同社区的居民通过完成调查参与了这项研究，他们根据年龄、婚姻状况、完成的最高教育水平、职业和卫生领域（城市或农村）评估了他们的回答。

结果

421 名参与者完成了调查，其中大多数为 20-29 岁、单身、受过中等或高等教育、居住在喀麦隆农村地区。80% 的受访者以前从未听说过 HIV PrEP。95% 的研究样本表示愿意使用 HIV PrEP（如果有）。与 39 岁及以下的参与者相比，40 岁及以上的参与者对 HIV PrEP 的了解较少。担任护士、医生或科学家角色的初级教育以及医院附属机构是与 HIV PrEP 意识密切相关的特征。20 岁以下的参与者报告愿意使用 HIV PrEP 的可能性较小，而已婚参与者发现 HIV PrEP 是更有利的选择。

结论

由于医护人员更熟悉，对 HIV PrEP 的认识很少。使用 HIV PrEP 的意愿随年龄而下降，但已婚参与者的意愿更高。进一步推广 HIV PrEP 并促进其可及性，可以减少全球范围内的 HIV 传播。