0187/2025 - A PrEP, os exames e as reconfigurações da sexualidade e da prevenção do HIV entre jovens homens que fazem sexo com homens da Região Metropolitana do Recife The PrEP, the exams and the reconfigurations of sexuality and HIV prevention among young men who have sex with men in the Metropolitan Region of Recife
O texto discute a actância da Profilaxia Pré-Exposição (PrEP) na rede sociotécnica da prevenção do HIV e nas experiências sexuais de homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSHs) residentes na Região Metropolitana do Recife. É embasado em pesquisa etnográfica e analisa 41 entrevistas com HSHs jovens. A PrEP está presente na sociabilidade e nos corpos de parceiros sexuais de boa parte dos entrevistados, sejam ou não usuários dela. Alguns elementos concorreram para a decisão pelo uso: prazer no sexo anal sem preservativo (SASP); recorrente falha no seu uso; circulação das informações sobre PrEP; práticas sexuais anteriores com alguém dela usuário. Entre os não usuários, o SASP é usualmente mediado por soroescolha, presumida pela aparência saudável e pelo 'conhecimento' do parceiro sexual. O ‘conhecimento’ também está presente no SASP entre os 'em PrEP', como alternativa para prevenção de outras ISTs. Quando a gestão de risco se faz considerando parceiros também 'em PrEP', justificada pelos exames periódicos, potencializa a saúde sexual. Os ‘em PrEP' são estigmatizados por descumprirem a norma anterior: 'sexo seguro é com preservativo'. Não obstante, a biopolítica opera e o exame como tecnologia subjetivante parece começar a produzir uma nova moralidade sexual, em que os ‘em PrEP’ podem se tornar uma nova classe de gays saudáveis, superiores aos não usuários nas hierarquias da sexualidade.
Palavras-chave:
PrEP, HSH, Prevenção, HIV/Aids, Biopolítica
Abstract:
This article discusses the actance of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the socio-technical network of HIV prevention and in the sexual experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) living in the Metropolitan Region of Recife. It is based on ethnographic research and analyzes 41 interviews with young MSM. PrEP is present in the sociability and bodies of sexual partners of many of the interviewees, whether they use it or not. Some elements contributed to the decision to use it: pleasure in anal sex without a condom (ASWC); recurrent failure to use it; circulation of information about PrEP; previous sexual practices with someone who used it. Among non-users, ASWC is usually mediated by serosorting, presumed by healthy appearance and 'knowledge' of the sexual partner. Knowledge' is also present in ASWC among those 'on PrEP', as an alternative for preventing other STIs. When risk management takes into account partners who are also 'on PrEP', justified by periodic exams, it enhances sexual health. Those 'on PrEP' are stigmatized for not complying with the previous norm: 'safe sex is with a condom'. Nevertheless, biopolitics operates and the test as a subjectivizing technology seems to start producing a new sexual morality, in which those 'on PrEP' can become a new class of healthy gay men, superior to non-users in the hierarchies of sexuality.
The PrEP, the exams and the reconfigurations of sexuality and HIV prevention among young men who have sex with men in the Metropolitan Region of Recife
Resumo (abstract):
This article discusses the actance of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the socio-technical network of HIV prevention and in the sexual experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) living in the Metropolitan Region of Recife. It is based on ethnographic research and analyzes 41 interviews with young MSM. PrEP is present in the sociability and bodies of sexual partners of many of the interviewees, whether they use it or not. Some elements contributed to the decision to use it: pleasure in anal sex without a condom (ASWC); recurrent failure to use it; circulation of information about PrEP; previous sexual practices with someone who used it. Among non-users, ASWC is usually mediated by serosorting, presumed by healthy appearance and 'knowledge' of the sexual partner. Knowledge' is also present in ASWC among those 'on PrEP', as an alternative for preventing other STIs. When risk management takes into account partners who are also 'on PrEP', justified by periodic exams, it enhances sexual health. Those 'on PrEP' are stigmatized for not complying with the previous norm: 'safe sex is with a condom'. Nevertheless, biopolitics operates and the test as a subjectivizing technology seems to start producing a new sexual morality, in which those 'on PrEP' can become a new class of healthy gay men, superior to non-users in the hierarchies of sexuality.
Rios, LF, Adrião, KG, Pereira, TDS, Soares, LVS, Dias, JPS, Luckwu, JHM, Silva, RK, Ramos, JMU. A PrEP, os exames e as reconfigurações da sexualidade e da prevenção do HIV entre jovens homens que fazem sexo com homens da Região Metropolitana do Recife. Cien Saude Colet [periódico na internet] (2025/jun). [Citado em 05/12/2025].
Está disponível em: http://cienciaesaudecoletiva.com.br/artigos/a-prep-os-exames-e-as-reconfiguracoes-da-sexualidade-e-da-prevencao-do-hiv-entre-jovens-homens-que-fazem-sexo-com-homens-da-regiao-metropolitana-do-recife/19663
