MHAHS supports Asian gay men’s survey

The MHAHS is urging gay men from Asian backgrounds to participate in the Gay Asian Men’s Survey (GAYAMS) that collects information from men on HIV and sexual health, sexual practices, relationships and other behaviours.

The survey findings are an important source of data on issues affecting the well being of gay Asian men, according to ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill.

“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,” said Mr Parkhill.

MHAHS manager, Barbara Luisi acknowledges the challenge of recruiting people from diverse backgrounds to participate in the survey but is confident that people respond when approached appropriately.

"The lack of participation is often due to lack of cultural sensitivity or lack of effort to include people from diverse backgrounds. The use of multilingual tools to engage with Asian gay men is an important step in overcoming language barriers. We applaud this effort and are confident it will bear the right results over time,” Ms Luisi said.

“MHAHS urges gay Asian men to participate in the survey, so more effective HIV and sexual health resources and programs can be tailored for this diverse group.”

Running from March to June, GAYAMS will target men aged 18 years and older, 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 completed 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 Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service.