Researchers are delighted with the participation in the 2014 Gay Auckland Periodic Sex Survey so far. Almost 1,400 men took part at events like the Big Gay Out and various venues last week. An army of GAPPS helpers at the Big Gay Out Known as GAPSS, the ongoing study is conducted every three years in community settings. It monitors changes in sexual practices and sexual health awareness. “We’re thrilled with this response and the positive feedback” says lead researcher Dr Peter Saxton from the Gay Men’s Sexual Health research group at the University of Auckland. “The diversity of participants at the LYC Big Gay Out where over 1100 took part is encouraging, because the findings will reflect many different people’s experiences.” From today the questionnaire is being promoted on internet dating sites and apps, to broaden the sample even further and to other parts of the country. “The study basically helps answer the question ‘is HIV prevention working for gay and bisexual men in New Zealand, today?’. If it is then we need evidence so that successful programmes continue to be funded. If it isn’t working for some parts of our communities then we need to know early so they can be improved, before HIV and STI transmissions increase,” Saxton says. "New questions on disclosure of sexuality to your GP, and about sexual health vaccinations, will provide critical data for advocacy and, hopefully, policy and healthcare reform.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 17th February 2014 - 9:32am