Sexual health, risk and attitudes among men who have sex with men
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study assessing attitudes towards sexual health, HIV and sexual risk in men who have sex with men (MSM) in London
IRAS ID
215761
Contact name
Jake Bayley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Barts Health NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continue to rise, with men who have sex with men (MSM) being disproportionately affected. We also see that non-White MSM bear a higher burden of disease. Rates of Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and HIV continue to rise in this population. This is despite expansion of sexual health services and outreach plus increased testing. We need to better understand the perception level of sexual health and HIV knowledge to better tailor outreach services and develop education programs to empower this population and improve sexual health overall.
This study consists of a self-completed questionnaire on knowledge of HIV and how it is acquired, use of ‘chems’ (i.e recreational drugs) and alcohol whilst engaging in sex and perceptions of both sexual identity and attitudes. In Phase 1, the questionnaire will be piloted amongst 10 volunteers who will be asked to participate in a short semi-structured interview. In Phase 2, the validated questionnaires will be advertised on commonly used location based social apps for MSM, i.e. Grindr and Hornet. The advert will appear on their smartphone (a broadcast) and then clicked through to a Barts Health landing page where they will be directed to the Survey Monkey questionnaire. The broadcasts will be aimed at MSM who log in when in London post codes. We will also aim some broadcasts at MSM who identify as non-White. The landing page will contain more information about the questionnaire and study.
The study will be carried out in the sexual health and HIV clinic at Barts Health NHS Trust following approval from the peer review committee and local research ethics committee and supervised by Dr Jake Bayley MBChB MRCP DipGUM DipHIV.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1705
Date of REC Opinion
1 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion