Hiding in plain sight: highlighting the research gap on access to HIV and other sexual health services for underrepresented gay men in developed Western countries - insights from a scoping review with a focus on Arab men.

Saliba, B; Kang, M; Wells, N; Mao, L; Prestage, G; Hammoud, MA

Hiding in plain sight: highlighting the research gap on access to HIV and other sexual health services for underrepresented gay men in developed Western countries - insights from a scoping review with a focus on Arab men.

Saliba, B

Kang, M

Wells, N Mao, L Prestage, G Hammoud, MA

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Publisher:: CSIRO Publishing
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Sex Health, 2024
Issue Date:: 2024-01-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Saliba, B https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8752-4242
dc.contributor.author	Kang, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9438-2518
dc.contributor.author	Wells, N
dc.contributor.author	Mao, L
dc.contributor.author	Prestage, G
dc.contributor.author	Hammoud, MA
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-23T03:23:31Z
dc.date.available	2023-11-30
dc.date.available	2024-01-23T03:23:31Z
dc.date.issued	2024-01-02
dc.identifier.citation	Sex Health, 2024
dc.identifier.issn	1448-5028
dc.identifier.issn	1449-8987
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174868
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: Strategies pertaining to HIV and sexual health for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have shifted focus towards underrepresented subgroups within some developed Western countries. Although emerging research exists on some subgroups, limited attention has been given to the needs of Arab GBMSM in these contexts. Considering they are part of a large diaspora, understanding their access to services is crucial. This paper focuses on Arab GBMSM as a case study within a scoping review, highlighting their hidden status within the broader landscape of HIV and sexual health research for GBMSM in the West. METHODS: A multi-method search strategy was employed, including searching four electronic databases using several terms within each of the following search topics: Arab, GBMSM, HIV and other sexual health services, and developed Western countries. RESULTS: Of the 384 articles found, only one addressed the research question and met the inclusion criteria, revealing a stark scarcity of research on access to HIV and sexual health services for this population. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights a paucity of research on access to HIV and sexual health services for underrepresented GBMSM populations in developed Western countries. The literature indicates that, for Arab men, this may be due to a difficulty in participant recruitment and poor data collection efforts. By focusing on one hidden population, we aim to advocate for inclusive policies and interventions that promote equitable sexual health access for all. Addressing this research gap aligns with broader local and global HIV strategies to reduce disparities among underrepresented GBMSM populations.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	CSIRO Publishing
dc.relation.ispartof	Sex Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1071/SH23131
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 16 Studies in Human Society
dc.subject.classification	Public Health
dc.subject.classification	32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	42 Health sciences
dc.subject.classification	44 Human society
dc.title	Hiding in plain sight: highlighting the research gap on access to HIV and other sexual health services for underrepresented gay men in developed Western countries - insights from a scoping review with a focus on Arab men.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	16 Studies in Human Society
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-23T03:23:30Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Strategies pertaining to HIV and sexual health for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have shifted focus towards underrepresented subgroups within some developed Western countries. Although emerging research exists on some subgroups, limited attention has been given to the needs of Arab GBMSM in these contexts. Considering they are part of a large diaspora, understanding their access to services is crucial. This paper focuses on Arab GBMSM as a case study within a scoping review, highlighting their hidden status within the broader landscape of HIV and sexual health research for GBMSM in the West. METHODS: A multi-method search strategy was employed, including searching four electronic databases using several terms within each of the following search topics: Arab, GBMSM, HIV and other sexual health services, and developed Western countries. RESULTS: Of the 384 articles found, only one addressed the research question and met the inclusion criteria, revealing a stark scarcity of research on access to HIV and sexual health services for this population. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights a paucity of research on access to HIV and sexual health services for underrepresented GBMSM populations in developed Western countries. The literature indicates that, for Arab men, this may be due to a difficulty in participant recruitment and poor data collection efforts. By focusing on one hidden population, we aim to advocate for inclusive policies and interventions that promote equitable sexual health access for all. Addressing this research gap aligns with broader local and global HIV strategies to reduce disparities among underrepresented GBMSM populations.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174868