POPULAR LINKS

Gay Men's Health research findings

> Suicide Research
> HIV Testing Behaviour
> MRC Study 1999
> Core PC System Research 2004
> Needs Assessment: The social and emotional health needs of gay and bisexual men

> Current research

Suicide Research

This research utilised anonymous self-completion questionnaires to investigate suicidal thoughts, feelings and behaviours amongst 95 young gay and bisexual men living and socialising in Edinburgh. The study found a disturbingly high level of suicidal thought, feeling and behaviour amongst the sample group, along with some dissatisfaction about the sources of available support. The proportion of respondents who reported suicidal thoughts and who had attempted suicide was significantly higher than that found in the general population.

> CLICK HERE

HIV Testing Behaviour - Gay Men in Edinburgh

HIV testing among gay men using the commercial gay scene in Edinburgh

This research was carried out in the gay bars in Edinburgh during September 2002 and builds on the ‘Testing Barriers’ research carried out in 1999 by Paul Flowers et al. The research looks at gay men’s testing behaviour and examines the extent of HIV stigma and discrimination on the commercial gay scene and other barriers which prevent gay men from having an HIV test. A total of 283 men took part in the survey. Steve O’Donnell carried out the research assisted by a team of GMH volunteers; Paul Flowers provided the overall design and the analysis of questionnaire data was carried out by Christina Knussen at Glasgow Caledonian University.

> see testing barriers page

MRC study 1999

The Medical Research Council conducted a large piece of research into gay and bisexual men’s sexual health behaviour in 1999. 1056 men were approached on the Edinburgh gay scene and the information relevant to Gay Men’s Health appears below:

• 869 men (84.5%) had heard of Gay Men’s Health

• 268 men (26.6%) had used the services provided by Gay Men’s Health

• 47 men reported using the counselling service provided by Gay Men’s Health (4.5% of the total sample, 17.3% of the men who reported using Gay Men’s Health)

The numbers of men using Gay Men’s Health services are shown below. 217 men reported accessing condoms and lubricant through Gay Men’s Health and 128 reported reading Gay Men’s Health leaflets or booklets. A further 77 had talked to staff or volunteers at Gay Men’s Health.

Satisfaction with GMH Services (men reporting any service use)

• Excellent – 85 men (27.4%)

• Good – 151 men (48.7%)

• Average – 52 men (16.8%)

• Poor – 8 men (2.6%)

• Very Poor – 14 men (4.5%)

Satisfaction with GMH Counselling Service (men reporting counselling use)

• Excellent – 20 men (44.4%)

• Good – 15 men (33.3%)

• Average – 7 men (15.6%)

• Poor – 2 men (4.4%)

• Very Poor – 1 man (2.2%)

Of those men who had used the counselling service, 14 (30.4%) were aged 15-25 years, 9 (19.6%) were aged 26-30 years, 7 (15.2%) were aged 31-36 years and 16 (34.8%) were aged 37 and over.

23 men (59%) who used the counselling service were in social classes I, II and IIIN compared with 77.4% of the rest of the sample. (p=0.008).

The majority of men using the counselling service lived in the Edinburgh area (37 men, 80.4%)

Frequency of bar attendance (number of visits to the gay scene) differed between men who used the counselling service and the rest of the sample (p<0.0005).

Visits Counselling Rest of Sample

• < 1 per month 1 (2.3%) 29 (3%)

• 1 per month 6 (13.6%) 91 (9.4%)

• 2-3 per month 14 (31.8%) 313 (32.2%)

• 1-2 per week 8 (18.2%) 422 (43.4%)

• 4-5 per week 15 (34.1%) 118 (12.1%)

Variations in the sexual health behaviour of men who used the counselling service and the rest of the sample were apparent:

• Men who used the counselling service were significantly more likely to report hepatitis B vaccination than the rest of the sample (74.4% vaccinated v. 54.7%; p=0.011).

• Men who used the counselling service were significantly more likely to report having had an HIV test (72.7% v. 51.9%; p=0.007)

• Men who used the counselling service were significantly more likely to report use of a GUM clinic in the previous year (40.9% v. 39.5%, p=0.001)

• A similar pattern was apparent between men who used any GMH service and the rest of the sample, with hepatitis B vaccination, HIV testing and GUM clinic use being higher amongst men reporting use of GMH services

The social and emotional health needs of gay and bisexual men

A Needs Assessment by Natasha McInninie for Gay Men’s Health

Summary of Findings

Respondent profiles

• 87% of respondents were aged between 18 and 39

• 75% were employed and a further 15% were students

• The majority lived in the Edinburgh area and had access to their own transport

• 9% of respondents considered themselves to have a disability

• The majority of respondents were white and described themselves as Scottish, British or European

GMH publicity / advertising

• 87% of respondents had previously heard of GMH. A significant proportion (43%) had heard as a result of GMH publicity materials (magazine, posters etc) although word of mouth, adverts in gay press and through the gay scene were also popular, each being mentioned by approximately 29% of respondents.

• 68% of respondents were aware of the services provided by GMH

There was comparatively less awareness of GMH services amongst the 18-26 age group (42% of respondents stating that they were unaware of GMH services) than amongst the 27-39 age group (20% unaware)

GMH services - perceived needs

• 85% of respondents thought GMH should be providing safer sex information to gay and bisexual men

• 81% of respondents thought GMH should be providing individual counselling to gay and bisexual men

• 81% of respondents thought GMH should be providing a drop-in centre for gay and bisexual men

• 75% of respondents thought GMH should be providing befriending for gay and bisexual men

The lowest response came from the 55% of respondents who thought GMH should be providing group counselling for gay and bisexual men

GMH service - actual needs

When asked what GMH services respondents would be likely to use themselves, a different picture of need emerged. There were significant differences between age groups. The highest responses are listed in order below:

• 57% of respondents would make use of individual counselling services

• 43% of respondents would make use of safer sex information

• 36% of respondents would make use of a drop-in centre

• 68% of 27-39 year olds would make use counselling at GMH compared to 43% of 18-26 year olds

• 71% of 18-26 year olds would make use of safer sex information compared to 24% of 27-39 year olds

• 43% of 18-26 year olds would make use of workshops compared to 16% of 27-39 year olds

GMH service use and evaluation

• 53% of respondents had used condoms and lube from GMH

• 32% had read GMH magazine or Spurt

• 19% of respondents had used counselling services at GMH, the majority (75%) being in the 27-39 age group

GMH evaluation responses were confused, possibly as a result of flaws in the questionnaire design. However, of those respondents who had used counselling, support or information/advice with GMH, 39% had found it extremely helpful, 35% helpful and 9% moderately helpful. Three respondents said they had found it very unhelpful but all made positive comments such as “Very good”. The remaining respondent ticked extremely helpful, helpful and very unhelpful, although he indicated that he had not used counselling, support or information/advice services.

The major barrier to accessing counselling and support at GMH was the fear of being recognised by someone.

Use of counselling services

• 53% of respondents had used counselling at some point, with a significant proportion accessing counselling through their GP

• 19% of respondents had used GMH counselling services

There was little consistency in respondents evaluation of other services

Last updated 14th July 2004

© Copyright 2001-2004 Gay Men's Health - all rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, the images and text on these pages are copyright Gay Men's Health and may not be reproduced without prior permission.

Disclaimer | Web Design