Greener Journal of Medical Sciences

Greener Journal of  Medical Sciences Vol. 2 (2), pp. 038-044, March 2012

 ISSN: 2276-7797 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: GJMS1213

 

The Effects of Motivation and Knowledge on HIV Prevention Behavior among Historically Black College Students: An Application of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model

 

Maurice Y. Mongkuo^1*, Nicole Lucas², Angela Taylor³

 

¹Department of Government & History, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina, U.S.A.

²Department of Sociology, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina, U.S.A

³Department of Criminal Justice, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina, U.S.A.

 

^*Corresponding author, e-mail: mmongkuo@ uncfsu. edu

Abstract:

This study applies the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model to assess the effects of prevention education, prevention personal motivation and prevention knowledge on HIV prevention behavioral skills among historically black college students. The IMB model states that prevention information and prevention motivation are strong predictors of prevention behavioral skills. In light of increased incidence of HIV and STD infection among historically black college and university (HBCU) students in the United States, the present research examines the utility of two key components – motivation and knowledge – of the IMB model to explain HIV prevention behavior among this population. Survey data of indicators of the three IMB latent constructs –prevention information, prevention motivation, and prevention behavioral skills – was collected from students attending an HBCU. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was performed to estimate the overall model fit indices and the magnitude of effects of prevention motivation and prevention information or knowledge on the prevention behavioral skills of the students. The analysis found that prevention HIV education motivation and HIV prevention knowledge had no significant effect on prevention behavioral skills, while HIV personal prevention knowledge emerged as having a significant and large effect in explaining HIV prevention behavioral skills among the students. These findings not only deviate from findings of previous research in other populations, but also suggest that to be effective HIV prevention programs aimed at reducing HIV risk behavior among HBCU students may consider shifting their focus to prevention personal motivation programs.
 
Keywords: HIV prevention, HIV prevention behavioral skills, historically black colleges and universities, HBCU, IMB model, Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model, structural equation modeling, HIV prevention personal motivation, HIV prevention education motivation.

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