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Homosexual and bisexual males are utilizing condoms lower than ever, and the decline has been significantly steep amongst those that are younger or Hispanic, in line with a new study. The worrisome pattern factors to an pressing want for higher prevention methods because the nation struggles to beat the H.I.V. epidemic, researchers stated.
Over the previous decade, prevention treatment referred to as PrEP has helped fuel a moderate drop in H.I.V. charges. And but, regardless of persistent public well being campaigns selling the medication, they’ve not been adopted in substantial numbers by Black and Hispanic males who’re homosexual or bisexual.
The usage of condoms, which forestall H.I.V. in addition to different sexually transmitted infections, has been declining throughout the board lately, not simply amongst homosexual males, contributing to a rise in sexually transmitted infections.
Researchers stated that, with a lot focus on PrEP, public well being officers have ignored condoms, contributing to the drop-off of their use.
“The aim of selling PrEP is a worthwhile one, but it surely has overshadowed different prevention methods like condoms,” stated Steven Goodreau, an H.I.V. professional on the College of Washington. He led the brand new examine and co-wrote a associated editorial.
A spokesman for the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention acknowledged declining condom use, however he stated the company continues to advertise them. Native well being departments that obtain federal money for H.I.V. prevention should embrace condom distribution of their methods, for instance.
H.I.V. charges have fallen lately thanks partly to PrEP. However the decline in the US — 12 p.c from 2017 to 2021, in line with government estimates — has trailed many different wealthy Western nations and even some hard-hit African countries.
Homosexual and bisexual males are disproportionately affected: They make up simply 2 percent of U.S. adults and 70 percent of latest H.I.V. circumstances. And an infection charges are much higher in Black and Hispanic homosexual males than in white homosexual males.
In 2012, pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, debuted amid landmark research exhibiting that, when taken day by day, antiretroviral medication nearly eliminate the chance of contracting H.I.V.
