Friendly, professional and reliable people who need a bit of extra cash are being sought to help researchers gather data for the Gay Auckland Periodic Sex Survey (GAPSS). The study has been conducted since 2002 and is the largest dataset of gay and bisexual men in the country, with 11,627 responses. It will be carried out again during Auckland Pride, from 9-16 February. “This year the survey has new questions about being ‘out’ to your GP, people’s willingness to record their sexual orientation in official health records, and vaccinations,” says Dr Peter Saxton from the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Research Group. “There’s also a new ‘husband’ option following marriage law reform!” Dr Saxton says the researchers need paid ‘recruiters’ to approach men at the Big Gay Out and a variety of gay bars and venues in the Auckland area, inviting them to fill in the brief self-completed questionnaire about their sexual behaviour and HIV-related activities. “We’re looking for friendly, reliable people who’re comfortable working in gay male settings and who can maintain the professionalism the study’s known for,” he says. “There’s no ‘interviewing’ participants because the survey contains direct questions about sexual experiences: it’s a short self-completed anonymous questionnaire and no-one who’s taken part can be identified in the summary findings.” Maori, Pacific and Asian recruiters are particularly being sought, as Saxton says the more diverse the participants are, the more inclusive of different men’s experiences the findings will be. “It’s an important study, well-regarded internationally, providing the backbone of evidence in New Zealand about gay and bisexual men’s ongoing response to HIV and STIs as well as our current needs.” For more information please contact the Project Manager: Adrian Ludlam School of Population Health, University of Auckland Email: a.ludlam@auckland.ac.nz Phone: (09) 373 7599 ext. 86358 Closing date for enquiries: 20 January
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 16th January 2014 - 12:48pm