Gay and bisexual men remain the group primarily affected by HIV in Australia. People with undiagnosed HIV infection contribute disproportionately to HIV transmission in Australia.

This study will deliver HIV testing to gay and bisexual men in community settings (through the ongoing Gay Community Periodic Surveys Project through the Kirby Institute), provide test results to consenting participants and estimate the prevalence of HIV and undiagnosed HIV infection. It will contribute significantly to reducing the number of undiagnosed HIV infections in Australia and provide strategic knowledge to guide HIV prevention programs.

The study will provide previously unavailable estimates of the proportion of gay and bisexual men living with HIV, and help us identify how many of those men are unaware that they are HIV-positive. It will also give us important insight into the characteristics of men with undiagnosed HIV infection which will be used for the development of new HIV prevention policy and programs.

Participation involves men completing the Gay Community Periodic Survey at events like Midsumma Carnival or Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day, they’ll simply need to provide us with a saliva sample. It’s easy, painless and quick. They can choose to participate anonymously, or to provide us with your contact details so that we can let them know the result of the HIV screening test done on the sample.

The Count study at the 2014 Midsumma Carnival in Melbourne.

Timeline

Recruitment

• November, 2013: SpringOUT Festival, Canberra
• January, 2014: Midsumma Carnival, bars, clubs and sex-on-premises venues, Sydney
• February 2014: Mardi Gras Fair Day, bars, clubs and sex-on-premises venues, Sydney
• September 2014: Pride, bars, clubs and sex-on-premises venues, Brisbane
• November 2014: Feast Festival’s Picnic in the Park, bar and clubs, Adelaide