Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and Sigma Research, University of Portsmouth are launching the annual National Gay Men’s Sex Survey – Vital Statistics -  today along with another survey ‘What do you need?’ aimed at establishing the health needs of people living with HIV.  Last year over 13,000 men in the UK took part in the Gay Men’s Sex Survey, this year it’s hoped the new survey will also get a huge response. The surveys can be completed by logging on to www.vitalstatistics.org.uk  and www.WhatDoYouNeed.org.uk 

The Gay Men’s Sex Survey (GMSS) is carried out in collaboration with over 85 organisations as part of the CHAPS Partnership’s health promotion work with gay men.  Peter Weatherburn, Director of Sigma Research said:  “Please take the time to fill the questionnaire in – it’ll only take ten minutes and you’ll be participating in the largest survey of gay and bisexual men anywhere in the world. The information you give us is invaluable.”
 
Will Nutland, Head of Gay Men’s Health Promotion at THT said: “Both of these surveys are vital as they help us develop and target our HIV and sexual health promotion work.  We really need both gay men and people living with HIV to get involved.  Previous surveys have told us a lot about men’s sexual health and this year we’re hoping to get more responses than ever.”

The GMSS includes regular questions about sexual behaviour and HIV testing and questions on drug and alcohol use.  ‘What do you need?’ includes questions on the needs of people with HIV including the health services they use. 

The surveys can be completed online until the end of August and are also available in booklet form from gay venues, support groups and organisations across the UK.

Ends

• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services across England, Wales and Scotland. The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual ill health.

• Sigma Research is a social research group specialising in the behavioural and policy aspects of HIV and sexual health. It also undertakes research and development work on aspects of lesbian, gay and bisexual health and well-being.

• The National Gay Men’s Sex Survey has run every year since 1997 and is the world’s largest annual survey of sex between men. It is undertaken as part of the Department of Health funded CHAPS programme. Findings from previous years can be accessed at www.sigmaresearch.org.uk 

• ‘What do you need?’ is being undertaken by Sigma Research, University of Portsmouth and funded by Terrence Higgins Trust.