“A Gay Man and a Doctor are Just like, a Recipe for Destruction”: How Racism and Homonegativity in Healthcare Settings Influence PrEP Uptake Among Young Black MSM

Young, Black, gay bisexual or other MSM are significantly less likely to use PrEP than their White counterparts. These disparities may be due, in part, to medical mistrust and mistreatment within the healthcare system. This study aimed to uncover how young Black MSM’s perceptions of, and experiences with, health care contribute to low engagement in the healthcare system and low PrEP utilization. In late 2017 and early 2018, we conducted six focus groups with 44 Black MSM ages 16–25 in Milwaukee. Focus group topics included participants’ knowledge and perceptions of PrEP, perceptions and stereotypes about PrEP users, and general healthcare utilization patterns and behaviors. Focus group transcripts were transcribed verbatim and coded using MAXQDA qualitative analysis software. We used a team-based approach to thematic content analysis to understand how racism and homonegativity affected healthcare access and experiences. Results from this study help to characterize what contributes to mistrust of the healthcare system and healthcare providers to negatively affect PrEP use among young Black MSM. Focus group discussions revealed how previous and anticipated negative interactions with physicians and skepticism about the healthcare system have alienated young Black MSM from the health care system and created significant barriers to PrEP. Efforts to increase PrEP uptake and must address negative and discriminatory interactions with providers and the healthcare system.