Information and Motivation Predict HIV-Serostatus Among a Population of High-Risk Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men

AIDS Behav. 2020 Oct;24(10):2863-2871. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02835-z.

Abstract

Two constructs from the information-motivation-behavioral skills model were used to predict HIV-serostatus among a sample of men and transgender women who have sex with men. Hypotheses were that lower levels of HIV knowledge and lower levels of motivation to remain HIV-negative would be associated with an increased likelihood of receiving a positive HIV test result at a study eligibility-screening session. Results of a backwards stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that lower levels of HIV knowledge, lower levels of motivation to remain HIV-negative, lower levels of education, and identifying as Hispanic/Latinx were associated with greater odds of receiving a positive HIV test result. These findings are consistent with the broader HIV-prevention literature that demonstrates that information and motivation are fundamental determinants of HIV preventive behavior. This work has implications for informing the development and improvement of HIV-prevention interventions.

Keywords: HIV self-test; HIV-serostatus; IMB model; Men who have sex with men; Transgender women.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation*
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Transgender Persons / psychology*
  • Transgender Persons / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult