Healthcare Seeking Intention if Diagnosed with HIV Among Young MSM in Taiwan: A Theory-Based Comparison by Voluntary Counseling and Testing Experience

Health Beliefs Linked to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use Intention Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective tool to prevent HIV and has recently been approved in Taiwan. However, more research regarding PrEP acceptability and effective PrEP implementation is needed in Taiwan. Little is known about the intention to use PrEP and salient psychosocial factors among men who have sex with men (MSM). The purpose of this study was to examine health beliefs linked to PrEP use intention among young MSM (YMSM) in Taiwan. Using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a guiding framework, an anonymous online survey was used to collect data from participants who were recruited using multiple channels to ensure diversity. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the health beliefs linked to high PrEP use intention. Data from 1329 HIV-negative YMSM were analyzed; 488 (36.7%) were classified as having high PrEP use intention, which was found to be associated with having high perceived susceptibility to HIV infection [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.11], high perceived benefits of PrEP use (AOR = 2.14), high self-efficacy in PrEP use (AOR = 4.19), and many cues to action concerning PrEP use (AOR = 1.49). YMSM with high perceived barriers to PrEP use (AOR = 0.64) had lower PrEP use intention. In addition, the effects of HBM constructs and specific health beliefs on PrEP use intention varied by preferred penile-anal sexual role. The study findings may inform efforts aimed at improving PrEP acceptability and optimizing PrEP implementation programs tailored for YMSM of different sexual roles.

The first 90: Progress in HIV detection in Zhejiang Province, 2008-2018

To analyze the results of HIV screening and the HIV-positive rate based on different HIV detection strategies in Zhejiang Province, China. Data were downloaded from the AIDS Prevention and Control Information System on May 1, 2019. HIV screening, prevalence, and incidence data were analyzed from 2008 to 2018. The incidence of HIV was calculated from the results of BED testing. SPSS software (ver. 19.0) was used for the analysis. The number of people screened for HIV increased by 229.7% from 2008 to 2018, while the incidence of HIV increased from 1.14‱ (2010) to 1.67‱ (2018), peak by 2015 (2.28‱). The proportion of people screened for HIV in medical institutions increased from 62.0% in 2008 to 67.1% in 2018, while of all positive tests, 47.9% were conducted at medical institutions in 2008, which increased to 63.2% in 2018. VCT and STD clinic attendees, who had only 4.5% of all those undergoing HIV tests, accounted for 23.7% of all HIV positive in 2018. The rate of HIV-positive people and incidence of HIV both increased in Zhejiang Province between 2008 and 2015. The most effective strategy for detecting HIV new cases is screening visitors to VCT and STD clinics.

Physicians' intention to provide exercise counseling to patients in Taiwan: an examination based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Increasingly more clinical guidelines have recommended that physicians provide exercise counseling (EC) to patients to help improve their lifestyle and enhance treatment effects. However, little is known about physicians' EC intention and associated factors. This study aimed to systematically examine physicians' EC intention using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Using the TPB as a theoretical and structural framework, 27 TPB items were developed and factor-analyzed to form five factors (i.e., attitudes toward positive and negative EC outcomes, subjective norms, and perceived control over EC under facilitating and constraining conditions) with satisfactory psychometric properties. Responses from 1,006 physicians (response rate 90.5%) were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to examine the TPB-based factors associated with greater EC intention. Physicians' favorable attitudes toward positive EC outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.03) were most strongly linked to high EC intention, followed by supportive subjective norms (AOR 3.74) and high perceived control under facilitating conditions (AOR 1.64). Specifically, physicians' EC intention was related to their attitudes toward better treatment effects and gaining respect from patients because of EC, perceived support for EC from patients and senior physicians, and perceived control over EC concerning their behavioral change skills. These findings could inform EC promotion efforts in clinical settings and medical education. EC-related training should be incorporated into medical school curriculum, residency training, and continuing medical education to enhance physicians' EC-related knowledge and competence, including lifestyle management and behavioral change skills. Attention should also be paid to the role of patients and senior physicians in promoting EC.

Menstrual Cup Use Intention and the Moderating Effects of Sexual Orientation and Gender Characteristic Among Female University Students in Taiwan: A Theory-Driven Exploration

Menstruation plays an important role in women's lives as it accompanies about half of their living years. However, little is known about women's intention to use menstrual cups, a relatively new menstrual product in Taiwan. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically explore the factors associated with menstrual cup use (MCU) intention among female university students in Taiwan, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Data from 1245 female university students in Taiwan were collected using an anonymous online survey based on the TPB from December 2016 through January 2017. Multivariate logistic regression found the following TPB factors associated with high MCU intention: positive attitudes about positive (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.87-6.60) and negative (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.54-3.49) outcomes of MCU, supportive subjective norms (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.33-2.65), and high perceived control over MCU under constraining conditions (AOR = 3.40, 95% CI 2.24-5.16). Sexual orientation and gender characteristic were also found to have moderating effects. For example, bisexual college girls with masculine characteristic who perceived high control over MCU under constraining conditions had elevated MCU intention (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.04-5.76). Therefore, to improve women's menstrual health, future health education could focus more on introducing the different features of various menstrual products, including menstrual cups, and help users make informed decisions about which menstrual products could best suit their needs.