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Psychosocial and Behavioral Predictors of Partner Notification After HIV and STI Exposure and Infection Among MSM

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Abstract

Partner notification (PN) is an essential element of local and state-level HIV/STI prevention and control programs. The current study quantitatively assessed the psychosocial and behavioral predictors of PN use among men who have sex with men (MSM) (n = 189) using multivariable logistic regression procedures. STI history or being HIV-infected were significant predictors of having notified past sexual partners of HIV/STI exposure; engaging in unprotected insertive anal sex and using poppers during sex in the 12 months prior to enrollment resulted in greater odds of PN. Symptoms of social anxiety and having a drinking problem were significant predictors of future willingness to use state department of public health PN services. Efforts to increase PN acceptability should focus on HIV-uninfected MSM, particularly those with STI history. Results suggest how to increase acceptability and use of PN as a public health strategy and underscore the need for counseling as part of the notification process.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this project was derived from a research grant awarded to Drs. Matthew J. Mimiaga and Kenneth H. Mayer from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Fenway Institute, Fenway Community Health, Prudential Tower, 4th floor, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02119, USA

    Matthew J. Mimiaga, Sari L. Reisner, Ashley M. Tetu & Kenneth H. Mayer

  2. Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Matthew J. Mimiaga

  3. School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Ashley M. Tetu

  4. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Kevin Cranston, Thomas Bertrand & David S. Novak

  5. Brown Medical School/Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    Kenneth H. Mayer

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  1. Matthew J. Mimiaga
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  2. Sari L. Reisner
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  3. Ashley M. Tetu
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  4. Kevin Cranston
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  6. David S. Novak
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  7. Kenneth H. Mayer
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Correspondence to Matthew J. Mimiaga.

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Mimiaga, M.J., Reisner, S.L., Tetu, A.M. et al. Psychosocial and Behavioral Predictors of Partner Notification After HIV and STI Exposure and Infection Among MSM. AIDS Behav 13, 738–745 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9424-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9424-y

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