ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LBGTI health organisation, is encouraging Asian gay men and men who have sex with men in NSW to participate in vital research into sexual health and wellbeing.

The Gay Asian Men’s Survey (GAYAMS) aims to collect responses from men on HIV and sexual health, sexual practices, relationships and other behaviours. Data collected from the survey will inform programs that improve the health and wellbeing of Asian gay men.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said GAYAMS will provide important insights on key sexual health issues affecting the Asian gay male community.

“Overseas-born gay men, particularly from Asian backgrounds, continue to face barriers to appropriate HIV prevention messaging, treatment and care,” Parkhill said. “Recent HIV data from NSW Health has indicated HIV notifications among overseas-born gay and homosexually active men have not seen similar rates of decline as experienced by Australian-born gay men."

“The survey aims to gather information from Asian gay men on HIV and sexual health, as well as their behaviours on HIV and STI testing, HIV treatment and use of alcohol and other drugs. The data collected from this survey will assist in identifying key priorities, and in the development of contemporary, community-led HIV responses.

“Addressing the needs of this community is not only a priority for ACON, but also under the current NSW HIV Strategy 2016-2020.”

“We are proud of the work that ACON has done to date in involving Asian gay men in our programs; in particular, our HIV prevention and testing campaigns continue to deliver culturally appropriate messages, while our peer education programs have very high engagement,” Parkhill added.

“But we urge Asian gay men to participate in this survey, which will allow us to continue tailoring and delivering effective HIV and sexual health resources and programs.”

Running from March to June, GAYAMS will target men aged 18 years or above, who have had sex with other men in the past five years, are currently living in NSW, and self-identifying as having an Asian background.

The survey will be conducted at selected venues around Sydney and is available in five languages including English, Chinese (simplified), Thai, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia. It can also be accessed online at www.gayams.org.au.

GAYAMS is conducted in partnership by the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gay Men’s Action Group, which consists of ACON, the University of NSW’s Centre for Social Research in Health, Sydney Metro Local Health Districts, and the Multi-cultural HIV and Hepatitis Service.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: [email protected]   T: +61 (02) 9206 2044   M: +61 (0)428 477 042