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Fear of accusations of infidelity, the stigma surrounding HIV and concerns about causing conflict in a relationship might deter some Black women from using PrEP, a prescription medicine used to prevent HIV, according to a study led by Rutgers researchers.

The paper published in Health Communication and led by Maria Venetis and Shawnika Hull, both professors at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information, underscores a need for communication support, as the HIV prevention medication is critical to efforts to end the epidemic.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective, easy-to-take HIV prevention medication available as a daily pill or injection and the first and only form of HIV prevention that can be both woman-controlled and discreet, the researchers said.

But the researchers found that concerns about a partner's perceptions or lack of support may deter women from taking PrEP.

"Male partners' approval or disapproval of PrEP use is a highly salient factor in Black women's uptake," Hull said. "Many Black women would seek their partners' endorsement. Previous research has demonstrated, and a crescendo of social scientific voices have pointed out, that although PrEP can be used autonomously and discreetly, women seek the support of their partners, peers and clinicians."

The researchers aimed to address how women may anticipate their partners' responses to a disclosure of their intentions to use PrEP, which might dissuade them from taking the medication.

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