PhD defence Haoyi Wang

Keywords: Men who have sex with men, HIV biomedical prevention, Long-acting PrEP, Europe

"Empowering Choices in the Crossroad of HIV Biomedical Prevention to End the HIV Epidemic in Europe: From Oral PrEP to Long-acting PrEP: An epidemiological investigation among men who have sex with men with critical applications of advanced modelling techniques"

This thesis investigated the use and future potential of HIV prevention medications, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), among men who have sex with men in Europe. While daily oral PrEP pills are highly effective at preventing HIV, the research found that not everyone who needs them has equal access, and taking a daily pill can be challenging or burdensome for some. By using advanced data modelling, the study mapped out regional differences in PrEP awareness, access, and usage, specifically focusing on the Netherlands and France. Furthermore, the research explored a new, upcoming prevention method: long-acting injectable PrEP. The findings revealed a strong interest in these injections, especially among individuals who struggle to adhere to daily pills or who face barriers in the current healthcare system. Ultimately, this thesis highlights that offering a variety of accessible and affordable HIV prevention choices, including long-acting injections, is crucial to effectively reducing new infections and ending the HIV epidemic.

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