Intention to use HIV Self-Testing and Its associated factors among young men who have sex with men in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2026.1Keywords:
intention, HIV self-testing, respondent-driven sampling, young men who have sex with menAbstract
HIV self-testing is a safe, accurate, private, and convenient approach for HIV detection that enhances accessibility and frequency of HIV testing. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine the intention to use HIV self-testing and associated factors among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) aged 18-25 years in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. A total of 586 participants were recruited using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS). Data was collected through an online questionnaire (Google forms). Among 586 young MSM participants with a mean age of 20.25 years (SD=2.25), 82.0% expressed intention to use HIV self-testing. Factors significantly associated with intention to use HIV self-testing (p<0.05) included perceived risk of HIV/AIDS infection and perceived self-efficacy for HIV self-testing. The Ministry of Public Health and related agencies should develop programs to promote knowledge and skills regarding HIV self-testing, including sexual risk behavior assessment through various communication channels such as social media, health websites, and applications. They should also develop age-appropriate promotional materials for youth and implement programs to enhance perceived self-efficacy in HIV self-testing among young men who have sex with men. This includes developing clear instructional learning materials that demonstrate usage procedures to increase confidence in using HIV self-test kits, thereby strengthening perceived self-efficacy and promoting intention to conduct HIV self-testing.
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