University Of Portsmouth Launch England's Biggest Sex Surveys

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 07 Jun 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Four of England's biggest surveys into the sexual health of the adult population have been launched today by Sigma Research, a social research group from the University of Portsmouth.

For the first time, and in an attempt to reduce the spread of HIV, African people in England will be invited to take part in a survey about sexual health and HIV. Lesbian and bisexual women about whose sexual health little is known, will also be surveyed for the first time, enabling researchers to understand more about the healthcare needs of this group.

Two further surveys will draw information respectively about the health of gay and bisexual men and the health needs of those who live with HIV.

"These questionnaires take very little time to complete - less than 15 minutes - and in doing so people will be providing invaluable help to build a clear picture of how we can improve health services," said Peter Weatherburn, director, Sigma Research.

During the summer it is hoped over 5000 people will respond to a survey, entitled BASS Line, which will ask African participants over the age of 16 about their sexual health. Commissioned by the National African HIV Prevention Programme, which is a Department of Health funded programme, survey booklets will be distributed in English and French by African agencies all over England. An online version will be promoted through community websites and advertised using links from news and entertainment websites.

The survey has been developed in close collaboration with a number of African agencies. "Many of these have indicated how important these survey finds will be to them," said Walter Gillgower, manager of the National African HIV Prevention Programme.

Vital Statistics, the men's sex survey and a further survey, entitled "What do you need?" are funded by the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. Last year over 13 000 men in Britain took part in Vital Statistics which is carried out in collaboration with over 80 organisations.

The surveys can be completed online until the end of August and are also available in booklet form from gay venues, support groups and organisations across UK.

Vital Statistics includes regular questions about sexual behaviour and HIV testing as well as questions about drug and alcohol use. "What do you need?" includes questions on the needs of people with HIV including the health service they use.

The lesbian and bisexual women's health survey is being conducted in collaboration with Stonewall, DeMontfort University and is funded by Lloyds TSB Foundation.

The surveys can be completed by logging on to www.vitalstatistics.org.uk; www.WhatDoYouNeed.org.uk; www.BASS-Line.org.uk; www.demographix.com/surveys/3Y9Q-VHRX/MZJJAXPN/

Sigma Research, University of Portsmouth, is a social research group specialising in the behavioural and policy aspects of HIV and sexual health. It also undertakes research and development work on aspects of lesbian, gay and bisexual health and well-being. It has carried out more than 70 research and development projects concerned with the impact of HIV and AIDS on the sexual and social lives of a variety of populations.

The BASS Line survey is further informed by the following information.

-- Among African communities fear of stigmatisation, deportation and expectations of HIV as incurable continue to deter many from seeking services such testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (Mayisha II 2005).
-- A lack of information about accessing services such as HIV testing, and rights to healthcare are an obstacle to meeting needs (Mayisha II 2005).
-- There is insufficient provision of culturally sensitive and language appropriate services, particularly for refugees and asylum seekers.
-- Many Africans, including those with multiple sexual partners, do not perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV and assume their partners to be HIV negative (Mayisha II 2005).
-- Over 3000 Africans were newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2005 (A Complex Picture 2006).

Vital Statistics and "What do you need?" surveys

-- Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services across England, Wales and Scotland. The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual ill health.
-- Vital Statistics, the national Men's Sex Survey has run every year since 1997 and is the world's largest annual survey of sex between men. It is undertaken as part of the Department of Health funded CHAPS programme. Findings from previous years can be accessed at www.sigmaresearch.org.uk
-- 'What do you need?' is being undertaken by Sigma Research, University of Portsmouth and is funded by Terrence Higgins Trust.

http://www.port.ac.uk