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Gebru NM, James TG, Ahn S, Cheong J, Berry MS, Cook RL, Leeman RF. A Behavioral Economic Examination of Sexual Behaviors in the Era of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis via Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1541-1559. [PMID: 38472604 PMCID: PMC11124550 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02822-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use may be associated with condom use decisions. The current investigation examined sexual decision-making in the context of PrEP among young adult men who have sex with men (MSM) between 18 and 30 years old, using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. For the quantitative aim, 99 MSM currently taking PrEP (i.e., PrEP-experienced) and 140 MSM not currently taking PrEP (i.e., PrEP-naive) completed an online survey, including the Sexual Delay Discounting Task (SDDT), which captures likelihood of condom use. For the qualitative aim, 15 people from each group were interviewed about their (1) conceptualizations of risky sex and (2) ways they manage their sexual risk. Participants were, on average, 25.69 years old (SD = 3.07) and 64% White. Results from the quantitative aim revealed, controlling for covariates, PrEP-experienced participants exhibited significantly lower likelihood of (1) using an immediately available condom and (2) waiting for a delayed condom (i.e., sexual delay discounting) compared to PrEP-naive participants. Qualitative themes explaining what young adult MSM consider to be risky sex included: (1) any sex as risky sex, (2) risky sex as "sex without a conversation," and (3) risky sex as sex with risk for physical harm. Themes on ways young adult MSM manage sexual risk were classified as proactive, reactive, and passive. Results suggest that PrEP use is related to condom use decisions. Taken together, quantitative differences in sexual delay discounting, but qualitatively similar conceptualizations and management of risky sex, suggest that the SDDT may be a useful tool in sex research to capture processes (i.e., delay discounting) underlying sexual decision-making that may be missed by traditional self-reports. Implications of results, including potentially providing (good quality) condoms with every PrEP prescription, and future research topics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nioud Mulugeta Gebru
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 S. Main St., Box G-S121-3, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Southern HIV and Alcohol Research Consortium (SHARC), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Tyler G James
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Seungjun Ahn
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - JeeWon Cheong
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Meredith S Berry
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert L Cook
- Southern HIV and Alcohol Research Consortium (SHARC), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert F Leeman
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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Gebru NM, Strickland JC, Reed DD, Kahler CW, Leeman RF. Use of preexposure prophylaxis and condom purchasing decisions. J Exp Anal Behav 2024; 121:233-245. [PMID: 38356347 PMCID: PMC10942754 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but not other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Men who have sex with men (MSM) who take PrEP tend to report reduced condom use, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. For this study, MSM who take PrEP (i.e., PrEP experienced; n = 88) and MSM who do not (i.e., PrEP naïve; n = 113) completed an online study, including the condom purchase task (CoPT). The CoPT assesses decisions to purchase condoms across escalating prices (range: free-$55) for sex with different types of hypothetical partners: those least likely to have an STD (least STD) and those that participants most want to have sex with (most want sex with). When condoms were free, PrEP-experienced MSM had a lower rate of condom purchasing than did PrEP-naïve MSM. For both partner types, PrEP-experienced MSM reached a price break point (i.e., would not buy condoms) at a lower price than did PrEP-naïve pariticipants. For the most-want-sex-with partner at the price at which participants elected not to buy condoms, only 23% of PrEP-experienced MSM chose to abstain from sex when not purchasing condoms versus 53% among PrEP-naïve MSM. Similar patterns were observed for the least-STD partner. The results support the potential utility of the CoPT in identifying behavioral mechanisms related to condom use and PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nioud Mulugeta Gebru
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Justin C Strickland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Derek D Reed
- Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher W Kahler
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Robert F Leeman
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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Candler E, Naeem Khan M, Gratrix J, Plitt S, Stadnyk M, Smyczek P, Anderson N, Carter J, Sayers S, Smith D, Ugarte-Torres A, Shukalek C, Singh AE. Retrospective audit of a convenience cohort of individuals on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Alberta, Canada. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CANADA = JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE ET L'INFECTIOLOGIE CANADA 2022; 7:350-363. [PMID: 37397818 PMCID: PMC10312220 DOI: 10.3138/jammi-2022-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We undertook an audit of a province-wide HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program in Alberta (Canada). METHODS A retrospective record review of individuals accessing PrEP in Alberta included demographics, PrEP indication(s), and reported non-prescription drug and alcohol use from March 2016 to June 2019. Hepatitis A, B, C, HIV and syphilis serology, serum creatinine, and nucleic acid amplification tests testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea were collected. Descriptive statistics, incidence, and prevalence were calculated. RESULTS A total of 511 participants were seen at STI, sexual, and reproductive health clinics and private family practitioner (FP) offices; 98.4% (503) were men, median age was 34 years (IQR 28-43 years), and 89.8% (459) were gay or bisexual men who have sex with men. Non-prescription drug use was reported by 39.3% (201) and alcohol use by 55.4% (283). 94.3% (482) reported condomless anal sex in the past 6 months. Testing rates were high (>95%) for all tests except for chlamydia and gonorrhea at the first follow-up visit 89.6%; (3-4 months). There was one HIV seroconversion. The incidence of new bacterial STIs was high: chlamydia 17 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI 13.5% to 21.4%), gonorrhea 11.14 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI 8.3% to 15.0%), and syphilis 1.94 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI 0.73% to 5.12%). CONCLUSIONS Following implementation of a provincial program for PrEP in Alberta, PrEP initiation and continuation was feasible in a range of settings and by both specialists and FPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Candler
- STI Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Muhammad Naeem Khan
- Health Protection Communicable Disease Control, Population, Public and Indigenous Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jennifer Gratrix
- STI Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sabrina Plitt
- Centre for Communicable Disease and Infection Control, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Stadnyk
- STI Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Petra Smyczek
- STI Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Natalie Anderson
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julia Carter
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Donna Smith
- Red Deer Sexual Health Clinic, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alejandra Ugarte-Torres
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Caley Shukalek
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Taing M, Le K, Britton M, Chen TA, Parent MC, Tamí-Maury I, Leal IM, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Patel M, Reitzel LR. Smoking Intervention Practices in Texas Healthcare Centers with Sexual and Gender Minority Patients. HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND POLICY REVIEW 2022; 9:1074-1088. [PMID: 36778530 PMCID: PMC9910434 DOI: 10.14485/hbpr.9.6.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Objectives This study evaluated the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for smoking cessation in centers providing behavioral healthcare for patient populations that included some proportion of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). Methods Healthcare providers from 75 healthcare centers across Texas serving SGMs with behavioral health needs participated in a survey assessing their center's tobacco control policies and practices. Results Nearly half (N = 36) of participating centers had a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace policy, 30.67% employed ≥1 tobacco treatment specialist, 73.91% employed ≥1 prescriber, 80.82% mandated screening for patient tobacco use at intake, and 57.53% provided a template for tobacco use assessments. Overall, 70.67% of providers asked patients about smoking status, 69.33% advised patients to quit, 64.00% assessed patients' interest in quitting, 58.67% assisted patients with quit attempts, and 36.00% arranged follow-up. Providers' ability to tailor interventions for special populations like SGMs ranged from very low/0 to very high/10 (M = 4.63 ± 2.59). Conclusions There are opportunities to improve policy implementation, standardization and usage of evidence-based interventions, and intervention tailoring within settings providing care to SGM patients in Texas to better address their tobacco use inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Taing
- Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States
| | - Kathy Le
- Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
| | - Maggie Britton
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tzuan A Chen
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Michael C Parent
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States
| | - Irene Tamí-Maury
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Isabel Martinez Leal
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Anastasia Rogova
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | | | - Mayuri Patel
- Department of State Health Services, Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Lorraine R Reitzel
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Liu Y, Hawkins M, Osman A, Zhang C. Assessing the Prevalence and Determinants of Exposure-Influenced HIV Testing among a Sample of Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis-Naïve Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7080146. [PMID: 35893655 PMCID: PMC9331231 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7080146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-initiated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing after potential sexual exposure to HIV (i.e., exposure-influenced HIV testing) has high utility in detecting individuals with the highest probabilities of HIV seroconversion. We conducted a cross-sectional study among a sample of sexually active, pre/post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP)-naïve young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in two US cities to assess the determinants (e.g., demographic, psychosocial, sexual, substance use, and HIV prevention characteristics) of exposure-influenced HIV testing (never/rarely vs. mostly/always) in their lifetime. Of 261 YMSM, only 26.5% reported mostly/always seeking exposure-influenced prior to the study. Multivariable analyses showed that younger age, sexual orientation non-disclosure, perceived HIV stigma, internalized homophobia, lower general resilience, and lower social support were associated with a lower likelihood of mostly/always seeking exposure-influenced HIV testing. YMSM who never/rarely sought exposure-influenced HIV testing were more likely to use recreational drugs before sex, binge alcohol, and have group sex; while less likely to be aware of PrEP, test for sexually transmitted infections, or use condoms compared to those mostly/always seeking exposure-influenced HIV testing. Exposure-influenced HIV testing is suboptimal among YMSM with elevated risk for HIV. Our findings provide important implications for designing targeted interventions to promote exposure-influenced HIV testing among high-risk YMSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 256 Crittenden Blvd., Ste. 3305, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-585-276-3562
| | - Mary Hawkins
- Nashville Council on AIDS, Resources, Education and Support (CARES), Nashville, TN 37204, USA; (M.H.); (A.O.)
| | - Amna Osman
- Nashville Council on AIDS, Resources, Education and Support (CARES), Nashville, TN 37204, USA; (M.H.); (A.O.)
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
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