392P
MIND THE SEX GAP: BRIDGING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND HIV PREVENTION FOR YOUNG HETEROSEXUAL MALES
J Gahagan, L Rehman, S McWilliam
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Objectives: Using a critical social theory approach, this project explored 1) the perceptions and expectations of HIV prevention among young heterosexuals in Nova Scotia and, 2) a conceptual framework for sexual health providers in addressing identified HIV prevention education gaps.
Methods: In-depth interviews and focus groups were held across Nova Scotia from October 2002 to April 2004 with diverse samples of young, sexually active heterosexual males and females aged 15–24 years, as well as sexual health educators. Transcripts were entered into NUDIST data management software and analyzed for emergent themes.
Results: Despite the fact that HIV prevention education has been in existence for a considerable length of time in Nova Scotia, many participants regarded HIV prevention as a low priority both personally and in terms of public health policy and programming. As a result, widely variable access to comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education exists. Where such programming does exist, issues of confidentiality, effectiveness, gender-bias and exclusion, monitoring and evaluation of programs and services were raised.
Conclusions: Conceptual frameworks for HIV prevention aimed at young adults have often failed to adequately address the differential impact of gender as a determinant of health, specifically gender-based vulnerabilies to HIV infection. A sexual health programming framework that offers a gender-based analysis of HIV prevention programming and services is offered.