Boys tick the box at Midsumma

It’s Midsumma Festival time, and that means it’s survey time, with researchers seeking participants for the 2011 Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey this weekend.

Surveys of men-who-have-sex-with-men in the last five years will be conducted at this weekend’s Midsumma Carnival on Sunday, January 16.

Victorian AIDS Council health educator Tex McKenzie said surveys will be conducted until January 23 in other venues around town and urged men to take part.

“It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey, so drop by our tent at the Midsumma Carnival to say hello,” he said.

“Your support in completing the survey makes a difference and helps to guide the direction of HIV/AIDS and STI health promotion strategies here in Victoria.”

The anonomous survey only takes five minutes to complete but offers important insights for researchers into gay men’s sexual practices in relation to the transmission of STIs, including HIV.

The survey has been conducted since 1998, and is something of a fixture for gay and bisexual men during the festival season.

The data collected is particularly important because it allows researchers to make comparisons over time of the changes in sexual practices and partnering habits; HIV and STI rates and testing habits; and drug use.

The Periodic Survey is also conducted in other states during gay community festivals so that comparisons can be drawn.

Data from the surveys is also used to form local and national sexual health promotion campaigns and education strategies.

So when someone with a clipboards asks for your time this week, please be generous.