title: Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills of High-Risk Young Adults to Use the HIV Self-Test.
abstract: HIV self tests (HIVST) have the potential to increase testing among young adults. However, little is known about high-risk young adults' perception of the HIVST as a risk reduction tool and how they would use the HIVST in their everyday lives. Our study sought to examine these factors. Twenty-one ethnically diverse participants (ages 18-24) used the HIVST at our study site, completed surveys, and underwent an in-depth interview. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey responses, and interview data were coded using constructs from the information-motivation-behavioral skills model. Information deficits included: how to use the HIVST and the "window period" for sero-conversion. Motivations supporting HIVST use included: not needing to visit the clinic, fast results, easy access, and use in non-monogamous relationships. Behavioral skills discussed included: coping with a positive test, handling partner violence after a positive test, and accessing HIV services. These findings can inform the use of the HIVST for improving HIV testing rates and reducing HIV risk behavior.
authors.affiliation: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, USA.|Biomedical Informatics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, USA.|Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carballo-Diéguez
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Columbia University, 617 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10023, USA.
authors.forename: Rita Marie
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Columbia University, 617 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10023, USA. rb897@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schnall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012306:Risk; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: HIV self tests; High-risk; IMB model; Information–motivation–behavioral skills (IMB); Prevention; Youth