Determinants of the intention to participate in a programme of plasma donation for fractionation among men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several approaches are currently under study to contribute to efforts to allow men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate blood. One of these approaches involves implementing a programme of plasma donation for fractionation, with a quarantine period. The goal of this article is to identify the determinants of intention to participate in the plasma donation programme among MSM in Montreal, Canada. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the theory of planned behaviour, a questionnaire was developed to measure MSM's intention to donate plasma and identify influencing factors. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants of intention to donate plasma. RESULTS: Respondents' (N = 933) intention to donate plasma in the next six months was moderate. The multiple linear regression model explained 55% (P < 0·001) of the variation of intention. Intention was predicted by attitudes (ß = 0·34, P < 0·001), perceived behavioural control (ß = 0·28, P < 0·001), aged under 35 years (ß = 0·26, P < 0·001), history of blood donation (ß = 0·24, P < 0·001), subjective norm (ß = 0·21, P < 0·001), income above $40,000 (ß = 0·20, P < 0·001), moral norm (ß = 0·18, P < 0·001) and higher level of involvement in various issues LGBTQ+ communities are fighting for (ß = 0·09, P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: Our analyses show that intention to donate plasma within the proposed programme is associated with personal, social and structural factors, but more strongly predicted by factors related to the theory of planned behaviour. Our results also highlight the importance of involving MSM; community acceptability of the plasma donation programme would probably be higher if MSM felt respected and party to the decisions.

HIV serostatus disclosure: development and validation of indicators considering target and modality. Results from a community-based research in 5 countries.

RATIONALE: HIV serostatus disclosure is a complex challenge for persons living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite its beneficial effects, it can also lead to stigmatization and rejection. The current lack of multi-dimensional measurement tools impede an in-depth understanding of the dynamic of disclosure. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate complex measures of serostatus disclosure. METHODS: This international community based research study was performed by joint research teams (researchers/community based organizations (CBO)) in five countries (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Mali, Morocco and Romania). A convenience sample of 1500 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in contact with local CBO were recruited in 2011 (300 in each country). Face-to-face interviews were performed using a 125-item questionnaire covering HIV status disclosure to 23 potential disclosure targets and related issues (including personal history with HIV, people's reaction to disclosure, sexuality). A principal component analysis and a hierarchical cluster analysis were performed, in order to identify the main components of HIV disclosure, create measures and classify participants into profiles. RESULTS: Patterns of disclosure were summarized using two main measures: direct and indirect disclosure. Disclosure to sexual partners, whether steady or not, was different from patterns of disclosure to other targets. Among the participants, three profiles emerged - labelled Restricted disclosure, Mainly indirect disclosure and Mainly direct disclosure, respectively representing 61%, 13% and 26% of the total sample. The profiles were associated with different aspects of PLHIV's lives, including self-efficacy, functional limitations and social exclusion. Patterns varied across the five studied countries. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that multi-dimensional constructs should be used to measure disclosure in order to improve understanding of the disclosure process.