Get CONNECTed in Melbourne
Unite. Join. Attach. Link up. These are words which mean the same as ‘to connect’.
CONNECT is a new study looking at how men communicate norms and negotiate sexual practices, influence each other’s beliefs and behaviours, and how this may relate to HIV/STI risk behaviour.
The CONNECT study is the first of its kind in Australia. It will ask questions about social and sexual behaviour, HIV sero-status, drug use, use of health services, and your understanding of what is acceptable regarding these practices. The study is now recruiting men in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
We are looking to recruit around 2000 men in total, including 640 in Melbourne.
Have you seen the newspaper adverts, newsletter updates, posters in venues, invite cards, Facebook postings or heard us on JOY 94.9 or 3CR? Have you already received an invite or coupon from a friend to be part of the CONNECT study?
Recruitment is taking place through personal networks and at some community events and venues to achieve a broader sample of our community, so it’s critical you keep an eye out for friends with purple coupons, and invites.
The study is a joint project of the Kirby Institute (formerly the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research), the National Centre in HIV Social Research at the University of NSW, Curtin University, and the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre, People Living With HIV/AIDS Vic, and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.
The study’s findings will be published at www.connectstudy.net and will be provided to the AIDS Councils to assist in tailoring future HIV prevention initiatives and campaigns.
We’re looking for men over 18, who live in Melbourne (or visit Melbourne once a fortnight), and have had sex with another man in the last 12 months.
To be part of this unique study, contact Nathan via www.connectstudy.net and go into the draw to win a $4000 gift voucher from the Flight Centre, and to keep your ‘referral chain’ going.
