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HSE health survey

  • 01-03-2015 12:11pm
    #1
    Dingle_berry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 885 ✭✭✭


    The HSE have launched a survey for men who have sex with men on sexual health. It can be found here:
    http://hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/sexhealth/gmhs/research/
    If you are a man who has ever had any kind of sexual contact with another man, or plans to, please take 10 minutes to fill it out. It's anonymous and will be used to direct sexual health services in the future.


Comments

  • #2
    hfallada
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,180 ✭✭✭hfallada


    It's a pretty useless survey. It doesnt ask how the services can be improved. It doesn't ask why people don't get tested. If the HSE really wanted to improve the services. They would make it easier to get an sti test. That doesn't involve only 2 days in the ghms which can take up to 3-4 hours. The building is horrific and something you would expect from a third country. Or there is the guide clinic where you have to give up your entire day to get a test.

    People don't get tested for HIV, because it's so hard to get tested. Not everyone can give up a day to get tested. Not every one is free on a Tuesday and Wednesday night to get a tested in the gmhs. There is no point telling people to get tested when it's so hard to get tested.

    I know somebody will say its your health and its worth the effort etc. But if you are young and something isn't convenient. You just aren't going to do it. We need to have more test centers with better opening hours


  • #3
    Dingle_berry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 885 ✭✭✭Dingle_berry


    I'm not involved with the survey so I'm only guessing at its intended use. A longer survey that asks for opinions on current survey would get fewer responses. A short survey like this can point to deficiencies in the current system leading to more targeted market research. So if an age group responds that they are unwilling to engage with current services or shows poor knowledge, that age group can be followed up on.


  • #4
    hfallada
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,180 ✭✭✭hfallada


    Nearly all of there questions are whats discussed when you go for an STI screening. eg do you know what PEP is. Educating people on STI will give them more info on not contracting an STI. But if they have one and dont get test because its not easy to get tested, they are going to spread the STI. San Francisco has been so successful at limiting new HIV infections, due to the fact its super easy to get tested in San Francisco. Only 7% of San Francisco has HIV and doesnt know it(Versus 25% for London). If you contract HIV and are on meds, the risk of spreading it quite small. The best way to prevent HIV is ensuring everyone knows their status and on meds, if they need it.

    One of the highest levels of HIV are from MSM individuals from foreign countries particularly South America. Yet nothing is being done to get them screened and on HIV Meds if needed. People from high risk countries probably should have to get a HIV screening before they are given a visa to come here. Like the way certain countries require everyone to get a TB test before they are given a visa. If you look at the stats for people testing positive for HIV in Ireland. Non-Irish are making up an alarming amount of cases. Yet nothing is being done to reduce it.

    If the HSE was serious about improving STI services, they would make it far easier to get a STI test. Two walk in clinics(one is targeted at Gay Men) for a city a meto population of 1.8 million people is beyond a joke.


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