The Dual Motivational Model of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use intention (DMM) is a new theoretical model recently tested among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. The model posits that there are two main motivational pathways to use PrEP: the Protection Motivation Pathway and the Expectancy Motivation Pathway. The Protection Motivation Pathway suggests that the intention to use PrEP is triggered by the desire to protect oneself from HIV, while the Expectancy Motivation Pathway suggests that PrEP use intention is triggered by the expectation to have better sexual experiences on PrEP. Although both motivators have been tested separately, only the DMM of PrEP use intention suggests that both pathways simultaneously influence an individual's intention to use PrEP. We used data from 1078 MSM in Ukraine to test the DMM. Results show that the relationship of the pathways is similar among Ukrainian and American MSM. Potential explanations for minor differences may be related to cultural and contextual differences, and the different trajectories for PrEP roll-out. Successful validation of the DMM for PrEP use intention as a theoretical model suggests that it may be applied to other cultures contemplating PrEP use delivery to target health promotion among high risk MSM.
Keywords: HIV prevention; Ukraine; dual motivational model of PrEP use intention; men who have sex with men; pre-exposure prophylaxis.