Understandings of Participation in Behavioural Research: A Qualitative Study of Gay and Bisexual Men in Scotland

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2015 Aug 8

PMID 26252480

Citations 1

Authors

Nicola Boydell

Gillian May Fergie

Lisa Margaret McDaid

Shona Hilton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

An array of empirical research has emerged related to public participation in health research. To date, few studies have explored the particular perspectives of gay and bisexual men taking part in behavioural surveillance research, which includes the donation of saliva swabs to investigate HIV prevalence and rates of undiagnosed HIV. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-nine gay and bisexual men in Scotland who had participated in a bar-based survey. Thematic analysis of men's accounts of their motives for participation and their perceptions of not receiving individual feedback on HIV status suggested a shared understanding of participation in research as a means of contributing to 'community' efforts to prevent the spread of HIV. Most men expressed sophisticated understandings of the purpose of behavioural research and distinguished between this and individual diagnostic testing. Despite calls for feedback on HIV results broadly, for these men feedback on HIV status was not deemed crucial.

Citing Articles

Patterns of HIV testing practices among young gay and bisexual men living in Scotland: a qualitative study.

Boydell N, Buston K, McDaid L BMC Public Health. 2017; 17(1):660.

PMID: 28818055 PMC: 5561622. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4653-5.

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