BRISE StraightMSM Study: Understanding expert views on defining and reaching heterosexually-identified men who have sex with men for health promotion and care

Abstract

Almost no published research exists specifically on heterosexually-identified men who have sex with men in Australia, and the international literature is also scant. Funded by BRISE, the Centre for Social Research in Health, in collaboration with Pozhet and representatives of NSW Health sexual health services, conducted exploratory research to investigate the sexual practices, sexual spaces, sexual health knowledge and sexual health needs of these men, and to consider opportunities to better engage them with health promotion and care. This report summarises the key outcomes of this pilot research, which comprised reviewing the literature, analysing existing survey data, appraising the terminology and activities evident in online personal ads posted by straight men who have sex with men, and conducting qualitative interviews with 30 professionals employed in health services, health promotion and other relevant roles in New South Wales