Financing STI testing among men in China: A mixed-methods study of pay-it-forward monetary donations
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: AIM: Many STI testing services are underfunded. Pay-it-forward is a strategy to support STI testing that asks participants to donate money to spur others to receive STI testing. To explore factors influencing monetary donations, we performed a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial that evaluated a pay-it-forward strategy to increase STI testing among men in China. METHODS: We used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to analyze data from the RCT and semi-structured interviews. Correlates of monetary donations were identified using logistic regression. Interview responses were analyzed using thematic analysis using charitable triad theory to explore donor, recipient, and organizational factors influencing donation behavior. RESULTS: A total of 800 men received the pay-it-forward intervention. Overall, 139/718 (19%) made monetary donations, with a mean amount of 3.88 USD. The total value of all donations was 539.4 USD. At the donor level, donation behavior was associated with individual characteristics such as age, gender, and prior testing history. Donors who could identify with or visualize future recipients were also more likely to donate money. At the recipient level, income was not significantly associated with donation. At the organizational level, transparency and clear messaging enhanced trust and facilitated donations. An increased perceived risk of STI infection also motivated donations. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight key factors driving donations in a pay-it-forward program. Transparent fund allocation and real-time donor feedback can enhance trust and participation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05723263.
Source: PLoS ONE
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,382
Funders: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, American Diabetes Association, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Simons Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Arthritis National Research Foundation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Sontag Foundation, Hartwell Foundation, Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, Indian Institute of Science, Kreftforeningen, University of Saskatchewan, Wellcome Trust, Ministry of Education, Libya, Multimedia University, Target ALS, UK Research and Innovation, Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Chinese Nutrition Society, Eagles Autism Foundation, Nuffield Foundation, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Canada Research Chairs, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Vienna Science and Technology Fund, Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Austrian Science Fund, Changwon National University, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Wirtschaft, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, National Research Foundation of Korea, King Abdulaziz University, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Ministry of Education, India, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Norges Forskningsråd, Medizinische Universität Wien, Majmaah University, Global Affairs Canada, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Innovative Medicines Initiative, Templeton World Charity Foundation, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, New South Wales Government, National Institutes of Health, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, Qatar National Research Fund, U.S. Navy, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Deanship of Scientific Research, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, National Research Council Canada, Arts and Humanities Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, Deanship of Research, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Key Project of Frontier Science Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Wan Fang Hospital, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Defense Sciences Office, DARPA, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, AABB Foundation, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W7128775582