The sexual and mental health of men who have sex with men: The use of HIV risk reduction strategies and risk compensation (Distance Learning Project - Unfunded)

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by the global human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite the expanding HIV risk reduction toolkit that is becoming available to MSM, there is little research on their preferences and use of different HIV risk reduction strategies. As more HIV risk reduction strategies become available, there is a risk of mismatch in preferences between sexual partners, which may affect the extent to which risk reduction strategies are enacted. Also, risk reduction strategies differ substantially in their effectiveness. Recent research findings highlight that HIV risk reduction strategies (Pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV testing) that do not interfere with sexual acts and can be applied independent of sexual partners are preferred. A serological divide was apparent: HIV-negative MSM were less negative about condoms than HIV-positive MSM, suggesting that condom promotion remains a viable strategy for HIV-negative MSM.

In this distance-learning PhD the student will work with Health Psychologists to better understand MSM’s use of prevention strategies in relation to their attitudes about these strategies, the types of partners they have (i.e., casual or steady), and their HIV serostatus. The project consist of analysing data of the Survey Men and Sexuality (a Dutch cross-sectional online survey) completed by over 3000 MSM. The student will conduct a systematic review of the combined use of prevention strategies and correlates of use among MSM populations. Finally, the student will conduct qualitative interviews in their home country to assess use of HIV prevention strategies, focusing on whether and how the use of several strategies are potentially combined, or to what extend and under what conditions risk compensation is taking place.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCE. Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php. You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Health Science (Distance Learning), to ensure that your application is passed to the correct person for processing.

NOTE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE SUPERVISOR AND EXACT PROJECT TITLE ON THE APPLICATION FORM.