Drug attitude study seeks gay and bi male volunteers

Drug attitude study seeks gay and bi male volunteers

THE Kirby Institute at the University of NSW is recruiting gay and bisexual men to participate in a study exploring what influences their attitudes and decisions about drug use.

The study will look at how these change over time, and the consequences  of their drug use – both good and bad.

“Much has been said about drug use among gay and bisexual men in the media recently, but there has been little research done on this issue in Australia and few opportunities to ask gay and bisexual men about these issues except in relation to HIV risk,” said Professor Garrett Prestage, the study’s chief investigator.

“Factors influencing drug use and its consequences may differ for men depending on their private or social lives, and they may change over time. This study will help give our community that information.”

Researchers aim to enrol 1400 men in the study, which will provide information for sexual health promotion and sexual infection prevention efforts within the community, as well as other organisations in the health care system with a relevant interest in these areas.

Participants of the study will participate in an online survey every six months for two years. The survey will take up to 25-40 minutes. The interview includes sections on general demographics, sexuality, pleasure, sexual behaviour, attachment to the gay community, drug use, sexual health, mental health and knowledge and attitudes towards HIV.

To be eligible to participate in this study, participants must be male; be 16 years and six months of age or older; have had sex with another man in the preceding 12 months or identify as homosexual or bisexual; and be willing to consent to the study requirements .

“To do this right, we need all sorts of gay and bisexual men to participate,” Prestage said.

“We need to hear from men who have never taken drugs and those who take drugs all the time; those who feel connected to gay community life, and those who have nothing to do with it; those who have close gay friendship networks, and those who have no gay friends.

“Only by hearing from a broad range of men can we ensure that community organisations and services can respond to everyone’s needs.”

For details on the Flux Study, click here

You May Also Like

One response to “Drug attitude study seeks gay and bi male volunteers”

  1. Its a pity that lesbian and bisexual women, as well as trans and intersex people arent being included in this study given these groups also have significantly higher use of alcohol and drugs than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Surely it isn’t that difficult to include and analyse this data as well to help improve our knowledge of drug use across the whole LGBTI Community?