Table 4.

Characteristics and findings of qualitative studies included in the systematic review

Author, year	Country and setting	Design	Sample size	Participants’ characteristics	Awareness	Willingness to use	Factors associated with willingness to use
Bourne et al. [32]	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.	Qualitative	18 MSM.	Not reported, but eligibility was ≥18 years of age.	Not reported.	Most MSM were willing to use PrEP but concerned about a range of barriers.	Participants would consider PrEP in future if they had higher number of concurrent sexual partners and if PrEP were free or cost a maximum of RM 50–200 (USD 12–49) per user per month. Barriers included potential side effects, anticipated lack of discipline to take PrEP daily, confidentiality and data protection concerns, fear of stigma and being perceived as having riskier behaviours such as barebacking or ‘raw sex’ by non-PrEP using peers. The physical barrier of condoms was preferable to PrEP which can’t be seen or felt. Participants felt that PrEP may not be needed in monogamous relationships as use of condoms would be sufficient.
Chakrapani et al. [52]	Chennai and Mumbai, India.	Qualitative	61 MSM and 10 key informantsα.	21.3% were bisexual and mean age = 26.1.	None of the participants were aware	55.7% would use PrEP if available	Stigma, shame, lack of trust, cost of PrEP, fake pills, and fear of side effects were barriers. Motivators included peace of mind when condoms break/slip, ‘additional protection’ in case condom breaks, desire to have safe sex with HIV-positive steady partners, and ability to take PrEP discreetly.

^αKey informants (n = 10) included community leaders and healthcare providers.

MSM: men who have sex with men; PrEP: pre-exposure prophylaxis; RM: Malaysia Ringgit; USD: USA dollar.