3 articles found

Abstract

Understanding PrEP: Perceptions and Misconceptions Amongst Men Who Have Sex With Men in Upstate South Carolina

12 February 2026

Despite the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV, uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Upstate South Carolina remains limited. This study investigates barriers to PrEP access and utilization in this population to guide targeted public health strategies. A cross-sectional survey of MSM aged 18 and older was conducted to collect demographic information, perceptions and misconceptions about PrEP, and reported obstacles to accessing it. Pearson correlation tests were used to examine associations between participant characteristics and identified barriers. Social stigma, financial constraints, and limited provider engagement emerged as the most frequently reported barriers. Notably, lower socioeconomic status was significantly associated with perceptions of discrimination in healthcare settings, while racial and ethnic minority participants were more likely to express a desire for proactive discussions about PrEP with their providers. Participants also emphasized the need for clearer pathways to locate PrEP access programs and indicated that reducing wait times for initiation would improve their likelihood of starting PrEP. These results highlight the need for interventions that address both social and structural barriers to PrEP uptake. Expanding financial support, increasing provider involvement, and implementing statewide public awareness efforts are critical to improving access and reducing disparities among MSM in this region.

Jack Golder

Christian Zanetti-Weeks

Evan Lagerberg

+1

Abstract

Eating Disorders & Sports Participation

12 February 2026

Eating disorder research is scarce due to the stigma surrounding the condition. Much of the research has focused on the influence of societal norms and social media, while many patients attribute their relationship with physical activity as problematic. This study focused on self-reported symptoms potentially indicative of an eating or body image disorder, even if a diagnosis is not present, and how those symptoms differed across athletes and non-athletes. The 11 eating disorder questions, which were coded on a scale from 1 to 5, included how much people are worried about their physical appearance and how much exercise is perceived to be a tool for controlling and altering one’s physique. Differences in self-reported symptoms were also considered between genders. Predicting the severity of eating and body image issues from sports participation alone proved to be inconclusive, but a strong association between gender and eating disorders existed. Additionally, predicting eating disorders from sports participation when accounting for gender was more statistically-significant, demonstrating unique psychological pressures on women, whether involved in athletics or not, that predispose them to an eating or body image disorder that are not as apparent in men.

Ajay Krishnan

A Message from the Editor-in-Chief

Letter from the Editorial team

A Message from the Editor-in-Chief

27 September 2025

This is the official Letter from the Editor for Volume 1, Issue 1 of The Journal of the American Medical Student Association. In this inaugural note, the Editor-in-Chief introduces the journal’s mission.

Andres Felipe Diaz

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