Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use is increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM), condoms remain key to HIV prevention. Implementation intentions-which link a behavioral action plan with a situation or cue-may predict condom use. The Strength of Implementation Intentions Scale (SIIS), which assesses condom use implementation intentions, has not been evaluated among MSM. A structural model tested whether the SIIS mediated the relationship between condom use intentions and condomless sex acts among 266 sexually-active MSM (56% White, 26% Black, 15% Latino, Mage = 32.54). After controlling for PrEP use, HIV-status, and demographics (χ2(107) = 140.06, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.03), the SIIS fully mediated the relationship between condom use intentions and condomless sex acts. The SIIS can serve as a fidelity check for interventions, a mediator in theoretical models, and future studies should incorporate implementation intentions into HIV prevention interventions for MSM.
Keywords: Condom use; HIV; Implementation intentions; MSM; PrEP.