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Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills of High-Risk Young Adults to Use the HIV Self-Test

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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.

Resumen

El autoexamen para el VIH (prueba casera conocida como HIVST por sus siglas en inglés) tiene el potencial de aumentar las pruebas de VIH entre los adultos jóvenes. Sin embargo, poco se conoce con respecto a la percepción de los adultos jóvenes de alto riesgo acerca de esta prueba como herramienta para reducir el riesgo y de cómo utilizarla en su vida cotidiana. Nuestro estudio trató de examinar estos factores. Veintiún participantes de diversos grupos étnicos (edades 18–24) utilizaron esta prueba (HIVST) en nuestro sitio de estudio, completaron encuestas, y se les realizó una entrevista en profundidad. Las respuestas de la encuestas fueron analizadas a través de estadística descriptiva y los datos de la entrevista fueron codificados utilizando constructos del Modelo de Habilidades de Información-Motivación-Conductual. El déficit de información incluyó: cómo utilizar la prueba HIVST, y el “Período de Ventana” para la seroconversión. Las motivaciones a favor del uso del HIVST incluyen: No tener que visitar la clínica, resultados rápidos, fácil acceso, y su uso en las relaciones no-monógamas. Las habilidades conductuales que se trataron incluyeron: hacer frente a un resultado positivo, enfrentarse a una reacción violenta de la pareja ante un resultado positivo, y el acceso a los servicios de VIH. Estos hallazgos pueden informar el uso del HIVST para mejorar las tasas de pruebas del VIH y reducir las conductas de riesgo de VIH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, USA

    William Brown III & Alex Carballo-Diéguez

  2. Biomedical Informatics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA

    William Brown III

  3. Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA

    Alex Carballo-Diéguez

  4. School of Nursing, Columbia University, 617 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10023, USA

    Rita Marie John & Rebecca Schnall

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  1. William Brown III
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  2. Alex Carballo-Diéguez
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  3. Rita Marie John
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  4. Rebecca Schnall
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Correspondence to Rebecca Schnall.

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Brown, W., Carballo-Diéguez, A., John, R.M. et al. Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills of High-Risk Young Adults to Use the HIV Self-Test. AIDS Behav 20, 2000–2009 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1309-x

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