Barriers to accessing HIV and sexual health services among gay men in Tasmania, Australia

Abstract

We examined barriers to accessing HIV and sexual health services among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Tasmania, Australia, using in-depth interviews. Most participants were satisfied with the care they had received at public sexual health services. Barriers included the limited number of services, concerns about anonymity and privacy in small communities, difficulties accessing services via a general practitioner, and perceived stigma and discrimination. Improving the accessibility and availability of HIV and sexual health services in Tasmania is crucial to promote the engagement of GBM, which could be achieved via combined efforts of government services and community organizations.

Keywords:

• men who have sex with men
• HIV
• sexually transmissible infections
• health service access
• testing
• treatment

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the men who participated in the study and the peer interviewers who conducted the interviews. We would like to acknowledge the staff and volunteers at TasCAHRD for suggesting the project and supporting the study’s conduct.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Tasmania Government LGBTI Grants Program 2015. The Centre for Social Research in Health is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health. TasCAHRD is supported by the Tasmanian Government. Toby Lea is supported by a postdoctoral research fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.