Open AccessExamining Factors that Impact Intentions to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among African-American Young Adults
Author(s) -
Jelani Kerr,
Ryan Combs,
Suur D Ayangeakaa,
Lesley Harris,
Nana Ama Aya Bullock,
Emma Sterrett-Hong,
Kimberly A. Parker
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
archives of sexual behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.288
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1573-2800
pISSN - 0004-0002
DOI - 10.1007/s10508-021-01974-1
Subject(s) - pre exposure prophylaxis , theory of planned behavior , psychological intervention , respondent , demographics , psychology , demography , african american , young adult , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , public health , gerontology , clinical psychology , medicine , men who have sex with men , family medicine , control (management) , ethnology , management , nursing , syphilis , psychiatry , sociology , political science , law , economics , history
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a biomedical HIV prevention strategy with potential to reduce racial HIV disparities. However, African-Americans have not received the benefits of PrEP to the same extent as other groups. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was employed to explain intentions to use PrEP among a sample of African-Americans (age 18-29) in Louisville, Kentucky. Data were derived from the Afya Project, a study examining PrEP-focused HIV prevention for African-American young adults. The sample was developed through respondent-driven sampling and participants (N = 181) completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews assessing demographics and TPB variables. Analysis of variance was used to examine relationships between demographics and PrEP intentions. Linear regressions determined associations between control beliefs, attitudes, norms, and PrEP use intentions. Confidence in using PrEP (p ≤ .0001), perceived HIV risk (p ≤ 0.05), perceived likelihood of acquiring HIV (p ≤ 0.05), and positive norms around PrEP (p ≤ 0.05) were significantly associated with PrEP use intentions. Findings can inform interventions to advance PrEP as a HIV prevention option for African-American populations at higher risk of contracting HIV.