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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, and the main route of HIV transmission is condomless anal intercourse (CAI). This study examined the associations between psychosociobehavioral characteristics and CAI intention among MSM in Taiwan who had ever engaged in anal intercourse with men, and compared the differences across three sexual roles (receptive, versatile, and insertive) using online survey data (N = 563). For all MSM, those that were in a relationship (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.61–4.03), had three or more steady partners (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.19–5.58), did not use a condom during last anal intercourse (AOR = 6.81; 95% CI: 4.36–10.63), perceived high HIV risk (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.26–3.60), and had high sexual sensation seeking (AOR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.82–4.30) were more likely to have high CAI intention. After stratification, the significant characteristics differed depending on sexual role, except for no condom use during last anal intercourse remaining significant in all models (AOR = 5.09–20.30; 95% CI: 2.49–66.69, depending on sexual role). Tailoring the programs for MSM of different sexual roles may improve the effectiveness of future prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]