Relationships Between Health Beliefs, Fear of COVID-19, Knowledge of HIV Transmission, And HIV Preventive Behaviors Among Young Thai Men Who Have Sex with Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Anongluk Vongtree Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Sanpasithiprasong, Praboromarajanok Institute, Thailand
  • Natawan Khumsaen Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Sanpasithiprasong, Praboromarajanok Institute, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4998-4760
  • Samrej Tienthong Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Sanpasithiprasong, Praboromarajanok Institute, Thailand
  • Supannee Peawnalaw Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Suphanburi, Praboromarajanok Institute, Thailand
  • Panarat Chenchob Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Buddhachinaraj, Praboromarajanok Institute, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.151120244254

Keywords:

fear of COVID-19, health belief model, HIV prevention, men who have sex with men

Abstract

Background: Young Thai men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV transmission, making effective prevention crucial. This study aimed to examine the relationships between health beliefs, fear of COVID-19, knowledge of HIV transmission, and HIV preventive behaviors among young Thai MSM during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology: A cross-sectional online questionnaire study guided by the health belief model was conducted among young Thai MSM using snowball sampling. Data on HIV/AIDS health beliefs, knowledge of HIV prevention, fear of COVID-19, and HIV preventive behaviors were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The study included 134 participants (59.7% gay, 40.3% transgender). Knowledge of HIV prevention, fear of COVID-19, and HIV preventive behaviors were at a moderate level. Perceived severity of HIV/AIDS, perceived benefits of HIV prevention, self-efficacy for HIV prevention, knowledge of HIV transmission, and fear of COVID-19 were significantly related to HIV preventive behaviors among young Thai MSM (p<.05). These five variables were predictors of HIV preventive behaviors (Adjusted R2 = 0.304, F=6.740, p<0.05).

Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for intervention programs focused on improving health beliefs and promoting HIV preventive behaviors among young Thai MSM.

References

Yu L, Jiang C, Na J, et al. Elevated 12-month and lifetime prevalence and comorbidity rates of mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders in Chinese men who have sex with men. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 18;8(4):1-7. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0050762

UNAIDS. Thailand: HIV and AIDS estimates. Geneva: UNAIDS; 2018. Available from: http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/thailand.

Baral SD, Poteat T, Strömdahl S, et al. Worldwide burden of HIV in transgender women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2013 Mar;13(3):214-222. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(12)70315-8

Holtz TH, Pattanasin S, Chonwattana W, et al. Longitudinal analysis of key HIV-risk behavior patterns and predictors in men who have sex with men, Bangkok, Thailand. Arch Sex Behav. 2015 Feb;44(2):341-348. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0427-7

Weir BW, Dun C, Wirtz AL, et al. Transactional sex, HIV and health among young cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men in Thailand. Ann Epidemiol. 2022 Aug;72:1-8. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2022.03.012

Wang C, Tucker JD, Liu C, et al. Condom use social norms and self-efficacy with different kinds of male partners among Chinese men who have sex with men: results from an online survey. BMC Public Health. 2018 Dec;18(1):1-8. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6090-5

Khumsaen N, Stephenson R. Beliefs and Perception About HIV/AIDS, Self-Efficacy, and HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young Thai Men Who Have Sex With Men. AIDS Educ Prev. 2017 Apr;29(2):175-190. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2017.29.2.175

Davis M, Johnson C, Pettit AR, et al. Adapting Safety Check as a Universal Suicide Prevention Strategy in Pediatric Primary Care. Acad Pediatr. 2021 Sep;21(7):1161-1170. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2021.04.012

van Griensven F, Thienkrua W, McNicholl J, et al. Evidence of an explosive epidemic of HIV infection in a cohort of men who have sex with men in Thailand. AIDS. 2013 Mar 13;27(5):825-832. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835c546e

Ananworanich J, Fletcher JL, Pinyakorn S, et al. A novel acute HIV infection staging system based on 4th generation immunoassay. Retrovirology. 2013 Dec;10(1):1-6. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4690-10-56

National AIDS Committee. Thailand AIDS response progress report. Bangkok, Thailand: Author; 2015.

Seekaew P, Pengnonyang S, Jantarapakde J, et al. Characteristics and HIV epidemiologic profiles of men who have sex with men and transgender women in key population-led test and treat cohorts in Thailand. PLoS ONE. 2018 Aug 30;13(8):e0203294. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203294

UNAIDS. UNAIDS data 2020. Geneva: UNAIDS; 2020. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2020_aids-data-book_en.pdf

Jardim CGR, Zamani R, Akrami M. Evaluating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Accessing HIV Services in South Africa: A Systematic Review. IJERPH. 2022 Sep 21;19(19):11899. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191911899

Javanbakht M, Rosen A, Ragsdale A, et al. Interruptions in Mental Health Care, Cannabis Use, Depression, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Cohort of HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative MSM in Los Angeles, California. J Urban Health. 2022 Apr;99(2):305-315. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-022-00607-9

Cerecero-Garcia D, Vermandere H, Bojorquez I, et al. Profiles of Depressive Symptoms Among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Mexico: A Latent Class Analysis. Front Public Health. 2021 Jun 7;9:1-8. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.598921

Cusini M, Benardon S, Vidoni G, et al. Trend of main STIs during COVID-19 pandemic in Milan, Italy. Sex Transm Infect. 2021 Mar;97(2):99. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2020-054608

Stephenson R, Chavanduka TMD, Rosso MT, et al. Sex in the Time of COVID-19: Results of an Online Survey of Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men's Experience of Sex and HIV Prevention During the US COVID-19 Epidemic. AIDS Behav. 2021 Jan;25(1):40-48. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-03024-8

Starks TJ, Jones SS, Sauermilch D, et al. Evaluating the impact of COVID-19: A cohort comparison study of drug use and risky sexual behavior among sexual minority men in the U.S.A. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020 Nov;216:108260. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108260

McKay T, Henne J, Gonzales G, et al. Sexual Behavior Change Among Gay and Bisexual Men During the First COVID-19 Pandemic Wave in the United States. Sex Res Soc Policy. 2023 Jun;20(2):438-452. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00625-3

Pampati S, Emrick K, Siegler AJ, et al. Changes in Sexual Behavior, PrEP Adherence, and Access to Sexual Health Services Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among a Cohort of PrEP-Using MSM in the South. JAIDS J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2021 May 1;87(1):639-643. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000002640

Santos G, Ackerman B, Rao A, et al. Economic, Mental Health, HIV Prevention and HIV Treatment Impacts of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Response on a Global Sample of Cisgender Gay Men and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav. 2021 Feb;25(2):311-321. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02969-0

Rosenstock IM, Strecher VJ, Becker MH. The Health Belief Model and HIV Risk Behaviour Change. In: DiClemente RJ, Peterson JL, editors. Preventing AIDS Theories and Methods of Behavioral Interventions. New York: Plenum Press; 1994. p. 5-24. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1193-3_2

Liu H, Lai G, Shi G, et al. The Influencing Factors of HIV-Preventive Behavior Based on Health Belief Model among HIV-Negative MSMs in Western China: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis. IJERPH. 2022 Aug 17;19(16):10185. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610185

Malakouti J, Alizade M, Farshbaf-Khalili A, et al. Predictors of preventive behaviors of AIDS/HIV based on Health Belief Model constructs in women with high-risk sexual behaviors: A cross-sectional survey. J Edu Health Promot. 2021;10(1):446. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1046_20

Rosenstock IM, Strecher VJ, Becker MH. Social Learning Theory and the Health Belief Model. Health Educ Q. 1988 Jun;15(2):175-183. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500203

Tajeri moghadam M, Raheli H, Zarifian S, et al. The power of the health belief model (HBM) to predict water demand management: A case study of farmers' water conservation in Iran. J Environ Manage. 2020 Jun;263:110388. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110388

Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang A, et al. G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007 May;39(2):175-191. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193146

Thato S, Charron-Prochownik D, Dorn LD, et al. Predictors of condom use among adolescent Thai vocational students. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2003;35(2):157-163. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2003.00157.x

Malik S, Ullah I, Irfan M, et al. Fear of COVID-19 and workplace phobia among Pakistani doctors: A survey study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Apr 30;21(1):833-841. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10873-y

Kyi NEMM, Chuemchit M. Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices concerning HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Yangon, Myanmar. J Health Res. 2018 ;32(Suppl.1):S96-S103.

Wayal S, Reid D, Weatherburn P, et al. Association between knowledge, risk behaviours, and testing for sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: findings from a large online survey in the United Kingdom. HIV Med. 2019 Sep;20(8):523-533. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.12753

Srisawat N, Iamsirithaworn S, Tantawichiein T, et al. COVID-19: Lessons from Thailand. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2021 Jan 31;50(1):96-97. Doi: https://doi.org/10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020408

Khumsaen N, Peawnalaw S, Sripituk S, et al. Factors Influencing Mental Health Status of Residents in U-thong District, Suphanburi Province during the Covid-19 Pandemic. J Health and Nurs Res. 2021;37(1):36-50. (in Thai).

Fan W, Lu R, Wu G, et al. Alcohol drinking and HIV-related risk among men who have sex with men in Chongqing, China. Alcohol. 2016 Feb;50:1-7. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.09.004

Kahler CW, Wray TB, Pantalone DW, et al. Daily Associations Between Alcohol Use and Unprotected Anal Sex Among Heavy Drinking HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav. 2015 Mar;19(3):422-430. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0896-7

Liu Y, Ruan Y, Strauss SM, et al. Alcohol misuse, risky sexual behaviors, and HIV or syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2016 Nov;168:239-246. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.09.020

Ossa-Giraldo AC, Correa JS, Moreno CL, et al. Sexual Behaviors and Factors Associated with Condomless Sexual Practice in Colombian Men Who Have Sex with Men at High Risk of HIV Transmission. Arch Sex Behav. 2021 Oct;50(7):3175-3190. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01856-y

Yi S, Tuot S, Chhoun P, et al. Factors Associated with Inconsistent Condom Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Cambodia. PLoS One. 2015 Aug 19;10(8):e0136114. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136114

Gizaw AT, Abreha GK, Legesse T, et al. Predictors of HIV/AIDS preventive behavior among college students in Gambella town, Southwest Ethiopia using health belief model. J AIDS HIV Res. 2018;10(2):13-21. Doi:10.5897/JAHR2016.0413

Iriyama S, Nakahara S, Jimba M, et al. AIDS health beliefs and intention for sexual abstinence among male adolescent students in Kathmandu, Nepal: A test of perceived severity and susceptibility. Public Health. 2007 Jan;121(1):64-72. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2006.08.016

Abebe A, Mitikie G. Perception of high school students towards voluntary HIV counselling and testing, Using Health Belief Model in Butajira, SNNPR. Eth J Health Dev. 2009;23:148-153. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhd.v23i2.53232

Huang S, Huang J, Chu J. Health Beliefs Linked to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use Intention Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2021 Dec 1;35(12):474-480. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/apc.2021.0146

Huang Y, Yu B, Jia P, et al. Association between Psychological Factors and Condom Use with Regular and Nonregular Male Sexual Partners among Chinese MSM: A Quantitative Study Based on the Health Belief Model. Biomed Res Int. 2020 Sep 28;2020:1-10. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5807162

Zimmermann HM, van Bilsen WP, Boyd A, et al. Prevention challenges with current perceptions of HIV burden among HIV‐negative and never‐tested men who have sex with men in the Netherlands: a mixed‐methods study. J Int AIDS Soc. 2021 Aug;24(8):1-8. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25715

Bauermeister JA, Hickok AM, Meadowbrooke C, et al. Self-Efficacy Among Young Men Who have Sex with Men: An Exploratory Analysis of HIV/AIDS Risk Behaviors Across Partner Types. AIDS Behav. 2014 Jan;18(1):69-77. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0481-5

Klein H. Condom Use Self-Efficacy and HIV Risk Practices Among Men Who Use the Internet to Find Male Partners for Unprotected Sex. Am J Mens Health. 2014 May;8(3):190-204. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988313492172

Lee Y, Salman A, Fitzpatrick JJ. HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and risky sexual behavior in adolescents: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Int J Nurs Stud. 2009 May;46(5):653-660. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2008.11.007

Kasen S, Vaughan RD, Walter HJ. Self-Efficacy for AIDS Preventive Behaviors among Tenth Grade Students. Health Educ Q. 1992 Jul;19(2):187-202. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/109019819201900204

Prati G, Breveglieri M, Lelleri R, et al. Psychosocial correlates of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Italy: a cross-sectional study. Int J STD AIDS. 2014 Jun;25(7):496-503. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0956462413515193

Sohn A, Cho B. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviors in HIV/AIDS and Predictors Affecting Condom Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men in South Korea. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2012 Sep;3(3):156-164. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrp.2012.07.001

Brown MJ, Serovich JM, Kimberly JA, et al. Disclosure and Self-Efficacy Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Comparison Between Older and Younger Adults. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2015 Nov;29(11):625-633. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/apc.2015.0133

Arogundade OT, Faloore OO. HIV/AIDS Awareness as a Predictor of University Students' Dating Behaviour in South - Western Nigeria. Int J Psychol Behav Sci. 2012;2(1):9-14. Doi: https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijpbs.20120201.02

Nigussie T, Mamo Y, Qanche Q, et al. HIV Preventive Behaviors and Associated Factors among Gold Mining Workers in Dima District, Southwest Ethiopia, 2019: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Oct 18;2021:1-9. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4797590

Downloads

Published

2024-11-01

How to Cite

1.
Vongtree A, Khumsaen N, Tienthong S, Peawnalaw S, Chenchob P. Relationships Between Health Beliefs, Fear of COVID-19, Knowledge of HIV Transmission, And HIV Preventive Behaviors Among Young Thai Men Who Have Sex with Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2024 Nov. 1 [cited 2024 Dec. 13];15(11):948-55. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/4254

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles