9.00PM: A research group investigating why some men who have sex with men don't consistently use condoms is looking for a few more participants from the Auckland region. Jeff Adams of SHORE research says response has been good since the team started doing interviews late last year, "but we still need a few more men to participate." He says their focus is on the Auckland region because "this area is over-represented in HIV infections." Men who have sex with men (MSM), are between the ages of 26 and 45 and who never or sometimes use condoms are one group being encouraged to take part in the confidential survey. Additionally, SHORE would like to hear from MSM in their 30s who consistently use condoms and are "really keen to hear from bi or straight identified MSM" too. Those who take part will receive a $30 voucher. The men aged 26 to 45 who never or sometimes use condoms will be asked to participate in online discussion groups and/or an individual interview. Men in their 30s who consistently use condoms will be asked to take part in a focus group interview. Adams says he hopes the interviews and discussions will be completed by early February. The research is being done against a background of soaring HIV infection rates in recent years. Currently one gay man is infected with HIV in New Zealand every five days, a level not seen since the early days of the epidemic which devastated the gay community. SHORE can be contacted via the link below.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th January 2008 - 2:32am