Gay Health Network and HSE launch survey on sexual health campaigns in Ireland

Gay Health Network and the HSE want to find out your opinion on sexual health campaigns in Ireland through a short confidential survey.

sexual health

The Gay Health Network and HSE are currently measuring the impact of their sexual health campaigns for gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM). These include Man2Man.ie, Sexual Health in Your Language, Foreign Bodies, and Get Your Bits Out For The Labs.

If you would like to have your say on issues relevant to you, please see the link below. Please be assured that all the responses you give in the survey will be completely anonymous and will not be attributed to you.

Fill out the short survey here.

 

Students most unsure where to get HIV test, EMIS Ireland finds

The results from the EMIS Ireland 2017 survey has published part two of its key findings for the 2,083 respondents in Ireland.

Presented in part two are minority stress factors and the influences on the GBT+ community’s sexual health and wellbeing.

Sexual health results show that of the 2,083 respondents who completed the survey, 470 had never tested for HIV and 45% of these did not know or were not sure where to get a HIV test. This was higher among students and those aged between 17 and 24.

The EMIS Ireland survey found that feelings of internalised negativity about sexuality were highest among respondents who had not tested for HIV.

28% of respondents say they were verbally insulted, this was also higher among students and those aged between 17 and 24.

The findings on mental health have prompted Man2Man to note their concern and said they will encourage further exploration in this area with 23% of respondents saying they had thought about ‘hurting themselves’ or had suicidal thoughts within the previous two weeks of undertaking the survey.

14% of respondents had used one or more stimulant drugs to make sex more intense or last longer in the previous year. This was higher among men aged 25-39 and men living with HIV. 94% of respondents had consumed alcohol in the past year.

The EMIS 2017 Ireland and community reports can be found at gayhealthnetwork.ie/research and emis2017.eu

If you are concerned or affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please contact your local health provider or HIV/STI/LGBT+ service listed on man2man.ie

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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