Views about HIV/STI and health promotion among gay and bisexual Chinese and South Asian men living in Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Ethnic minority gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are considered to have a high risk for HIV infection. The aim of this study was to identify some of the ways Chinese and South Asian MSM talk about and understand issues related to HIV/STI and health promotion, as well as highlighting some of this group's health promoting behaviours. A qualitative study using face-to-face interviews with 44 Chinese and South Asian MSM living in Auckland, New Zealand, was undertaken. Following data analysis, four major themes were identified: the importance of condoms, condom use, HIV/STI practices, and HIV health promotion. The results showed that the men interviewed had a good understanding of the benefits of using condoms for anal sex. They also reported strong recall of the local HIV health promotion campaigns which seek to influence men's behaviours through promotion of a single, unequivocal message to always use a condom for anal sex. The men however did not always report consistent condom use, and a range of reasons why this happened were identified. Among the men who discussed testing practices, regular testing was much more likely to have occurred in men who have lived in New Zealand for more than 5 years. These results suggest that future health promotion initiatives should be tailored to ensure the needs of Chinese and South Asian MSM are appropriately addressed when promoting condom use for anal sex.

Knowledge of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among immigrant Asian gay men living in New Zealand

“…25 Engaging young and marginalised populations in health care, including HIV care and prevention, is acknowledged as difficult. 16,26,27 We also know that in New Zealand, disclosure of sexuality and sexual practices is difficult for many gay and bisexual men. [28][29][30] Given these difficulties, health-care environments must be carefully planned to ensure appropriate delivery of services.…”

“…15 In addition, many Asian gay men have rudimentary sexual health knowledge and practices and are not well engaged with sexual health services. 16,17 The aim of this study was to identify the views of Asian immigrant gay men about PrEP. This is critical to enhancing health-care provision and HIV prevention and health promotion initiatives for this group.…”

Combining Global Positioning System (GPS) with saliva collection among sexual minority adults: A feasibility study

“…However, the built (e.g., proximity and density of alcohol and tobacco retail outlets in a neighborhood) and social (e.g., crime rates, racial composition of a neighborhood) environments are critical factors affecting health behaviors and health outcomes (3,4). Many studies have shown the importance of activity space and residential context on the incidence of health risk behaviors among vulnerable or disparities populations in the United States (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12), including among sexual minorities (those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or other non-heterosexual identities) (13,14).…”

“…environments are critical factors affecting health behaviors and health outcomes [ 3 , 4 ]. Many studies have shown the importance of activity space and residential context on the incidence and prevalence of risk behaviors among populations vulnerable to health disparities in the United States [ 5 – 12 ], including among sexual minorities (those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or other non-heterosexual identities) [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Safer sex practices among newly diagnosed HIV-positive men who have sex with men in China: results from an ethnographic study

“…In a motivational interview-based safer sex intervention in the USA, a majority of clients chose to discuss issues of communication, relationships, and self-care, suggesting that safer sex practices are experienced within people’s social lives (Golin et al, 2007 ). Attention to these factors is supported by the sexual health model which posits that one’s behaviours, values and emotions are integrated with a person’s wider personality structure and self-definition (Robinson et al, 2002 ), suggesting that it is necessary to situate sexual practices in both individual and environmental contexts (Neville & Adams, 2016 ).…”