The Scottish Government funded NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to carry out research into the needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) in order to improve services and reduce HIV transmission.
The Principal Research Question
What factors can be identified that will influence the design of future interventions to reduce HIV incidence amongst MSM?
Secondary Reserach Questions
- What can we learn about the social and sexual networks utilised by men?
- What STI/HIV risk reduction strategies are currently employed by men?
- What characterises MSM most at risk of HIV?
- What motivates risk behaviour?
- Are current prevention interventions reaching men at highest risk of HIV acquisition?
- What might a combination approach to HIV prevention look like in light of this information?
Key messages
The Needs Assessment has generated a wealth of rich information about the needs of MSM and the study team considers the totality of the findings to be of significant value for planning and delivering appropriate sexual health and HIV services. Through a process of reflection, a number of key messages have been selected as summarising the main issues that our HIV prevention efforts need to focus on for MSM. The key messages can be found at the beginning of the Full Report.