Understanding aids preventive behavior with casual and primary partners inhomosexual men: The theory of planned behavior and the information-motivation-behavioral-skills model

This study examined whether components from the Information-Motivation-Beha vioral-Skills Model, in particular information, added explanatory power to factors derived from the Theory of Planned Behavior with respect to predict ing AIDS-preventive behaviors among gay men. Participants were recruited fr om a longstanding cohort study in Amsterdam. Muitivariate regression analys es showed that concepts from the Theory of Planned Behavior could account a dequately for intentions to use condoms with casual as well as with steady partners. Actual behavior was best predicted by past behavior. In addition, structural equation modeling demonstrated that the causal paths as posited by Theory of Planned Behavior had a good fit to the data. From the present ed findings implications for preventive interventions can be drawn. Specifi cally, interventions to increase condom use with casual partners need to fo cus at improving perceived behavioral control regarding this behavior, for instance through skills training. Interventions aimed at safer sex within s teady relationships should take into account that the HIV-status of the ind ividual and his partner plays an important role in the occurrence of unprot ected anal sex in a romantic dyad.