The HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills of Parents of Adolescent Sexual Minority Males and Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents

IntroductionAlthough cisgender adolescent sexual minority males and transgender and gender diverse adolescents (ASMM/TGDA) reported that their parents are key factors in using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), research about the knowledge and attitudes toward PrEP among parents of ASMM/TGDA is scarce. We examined the PrEP-related information, attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and intention of parents of ASMM/TGDA.MethodsFrom December 2021 to April 2022, 54 parents of ASMM/TGDA completed an online cross-sectional questionnaire adapted from the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skill PrEP Scale. We analyzed data with descriptive analyses, regression analyses, and Mann-Whitney U tests.ResultsParents scored relatively low on their PrEP knowledge, but their attitudes and norms surrounding PrEP were generally positive. PrEP stigma was generally low. Parental self-efficacy and intention slightly decreased as the PrEP care continuum advanced. Compared to parents of sexually inactive adolescents, parents of sexually active adolescents scored higher in PrEP information, their intention to talk with their adolescent about PrEP, and their intention to get PrEP for their adolescent.ConclusionsAlthough parents of ASMM/TGDA may have heard of PrEP, they have low knowledge surrounding it. Creating opportunities for parents to increase their self-efficacy might increase their intention to participate in the PrEP care continuum of their adolescent. Parents of sexually active and inactive adolescents may require different intervention components.Policy ImplicationsResearch and intervention development are needed to create online PrEP interventions that are created by and for parents of ASMM/TGDA.