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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Low sexually transmissible infection knowledge, risk perception and concern about infection among men who have sex with men and transgender women at high risk of infection
Sexual health, v 16(6), pp 580-586
01 Jan 2019
PMID: 31699208
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: Amidst an increase in STI rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), there is little research on STI knowledge, risk perception and concern about infection in these populations. Methods: This mixed-methods study explored these constructs among 60 racially and ethnically diverse MSM and TGW who regularly engage in condomless anal intercourse with multiple partners. Results: Participants had a mean age of 40.63 years. Most (95%) identified as a man and as gay or homosexual (73%); 55% were college graduates. Almost half the respondents reported a prior STI. Participants correctly answered a mean of 55.36% and 76.90% STI and HIV knowledge items respectively. STI knowledge was positively correlated with education and prior HIV tests, and was higher among those with a prior STI. During in-depth interviews, some participants expressed concerns about limited knowledge of STIs and syphilis. Half reported low concern about syphilis infection, due to prior treatment that was perceived as relatively simple, lack of STI infection in the past, erroneous information about transmission routes or simply not thinking about it. Conclusions: Among this high-risk sample who perceived themselves to be at low risk of infection, knowledge was primarily gained through being diagnosed and treated for an STI rather than from acquiring knowledge to prevent STI infection. Participants expressed interest in increasing their STI knowledge and recognised the importance of regular STI testing. Dissemination of targeted information about STI prevention, routinising of STI testing and STI self-testing might contribute to decreasing STI infection rates among this population.
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Details
- Title
- Low sexually transmissible infection knowledge, risk perception and concern about infection among men who have sex with men and transgender women at high risk of infection
- Creators
- Ivan C. Balan - New York Psychoanalytic Society and InstituteJavier Lopez-Rios - New York Psychoanalytic Society and InstituteCurtis Dolezal - New York Psychoanalytic Society and InstituteChristine Tagliaferri Rael - New York Psychoanalytic Society and InstituteCody Lentz - New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute
- Publication Details
- Sexual health, v 16(6), pp 580-586
- Publisher
- Csiro Publishing
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- P30MH043520 / NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01-HD088156; P30-MH43520 / US National Institutes of Health (NIH); United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA R01HD088156 / EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000502785900007
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85075797378
- Other Identifier
- 991021894522304721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health