Search

In this study, we applied an intersectional framework to explore service providers' perspectives on the mental health needs of newcomer young men. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 26 service providers in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada. Findings show that service providers made sense of young men's mental health needs and service access in the context of systems. We identified three interconnected themes: newcomer young men's senses of self in relation to macro-systems, including racism and economic marginalization; settling well as a determinant of mental health; and systems capacities and interdependent resilience. While service providers are engaged in cross-sectoral work in support of newcomer young men's mental health, this work is not being sufficiently supported. Further work is needed around cross-sector capacity bridging and advocacy, as well as the tailoring of services to young men without the assumption and reinforcement of gender stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demographic characteristics of people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) in Canada are increasingly diverse. Despite literature suggesting a potentially heightened mental health burden borne by racialized immigrant, refugee, and non-status PHAs (IRN-PHAs), researchers have hitherto paid insufficient attention to whether existing services adequately address this need and how services might be improved. Employing community-based research methodology involving PHAs from five ethnoracial groups in Toronto, Ontario, this study explored IRN-PHAs' mental health service-seeking behaviors, service utilization experiences, and suggestions for service improvements. Results showed that while most IRN-PHAs were proactive in improving their mental health, their attempts to obtain support were commonly undermined by service provider mistreatment, unavailability of appropriate services, and multiple access barriers. A three-pronged approach involving IRN-PHA empowerment, anti-stigma and cultural competence promotion, and greater service integration is proposed for improving IRN-PHAs' mental health service experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored sexual practices and sex-seeking behaviours in a sample of 222 East and Southeast Asian men recruited through two gay venues. Over half of the respondents reported having a current regular partner; the rate of unprotected anal sex with their regular partner was high (45.1%). Among all respondents, 74.8% (166) reported having casual sex with an average of 16 partners in the previous six months; 26.5% of these 166 respondents reported unprotected anal sex with their casual partners. Respondents used multiple venues to seek sex, but bathhouses and the internet were most commonly cited. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that respondents who sought men for sex via both bathhouses and the internet in the past six months were most likely to have had a casual partner, to have had unprotected anal sex with a casual partner, and to have had prior HIV and STI testing. In comparison to respondents who used only bathhouses to seek sex, respondents who used only the internet had fewer casual partners but were more likely to have unprotected anal sex with a casual partner. Given these findings, additional research is needed to further explore the individual and structural factors that shape the condom use behaviour of these sub-populations. HIV prevention efforts must include culturally relevant information about HIV and STI transmission to promote condom use. It is also critical to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate online prevention education for Asian MSM who seek sex primarily through the internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well documented that drug use is highly prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) and that drug use is correlated with unprotected sex in this population. However, little is known about these phenomena as they relate to ethno-racial MSM in Canada. A survey was conducted to explore the prevalence and correlates of drug use in a sample of East and Southeast Asian MSM in Toronto. A total of 222 participants completed questionnaires. One in four participants reported drug use in the past six months, with 8.1% using three or more different types of drugs during that period. Marijuana and ecstasy were cited as the most popular drugs in this population. Drug use was found to be independently associated with ethnicity, prior HIV testing, prior STI testing, having a casual partner, unprotected anal sex with a casual partner, and history of seeking sex via bathhouses and the internet, in the past six months. The results indicate that drug use is associated with increased sexual risk behaviours among East and Southeast Asian MSM. HIV/STI prevention programs need to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies that specifically target drug use and address the specific needs of different ethnic Asian groups. Prevention strategies also need to continue to raise awareness that drug use can impair judgment and increase risk for HIV and STI infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has shown that a large number of men who go to bathhouses engage in unprotected anal sex and have multiple sex partners. Relatively little is known about the behaviour and experiences of East and Southeast Asian men visiting bathhouses. The present study surveyed 101 men of East and Southeast Asian origin who attended a gay bathhouse in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The objective was to document their HIV-testing history, likelihood of condom use during anal sex with casual partners and to identify their reasons for using or not using condoms. Participants' HIV-testing history indicated that 15.8% had never been tested and 23.5% were last tested 2-4 years ago or more. About one quarter of the 86 men who had casual sex in the six months prior to the survey said they did not always use a condom. Forty-three percent of the men who had not used condoms for anal intercourse on one or more occasions indicated that "Sex partner looked healthy; should be OK" and "Got carried away in the excitement of the moment" as reasons why a condom was not used. HIV prevention efforts for this population need to address issues regarding accessibility of HIV testing and the provision of accurate and culturally relevant information about the importance of condom use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]