Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men
Abstract Objectives: Accessible health services are a key element of effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) control. This study aimed to examine whether there were any differences in accessing sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicar...
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13029 |
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doaj-286ce00db878429e9ec7f8079101b1722020-11-25T03:58:23ZengWileyAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052020-10-0144536336810.1111/1753-6405.13029Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with menAnysha M. Walia0Christopher K. Fairley1Catriona S. Bradshaw2Marcus Y. Chen3Eric P.F. Chow4Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Alfred Health VictoriaMelbourne Sexual Health Centre Alfred Health VictoriaMelbourne Sexual Health Centre Alfred Health VictoriaMelbourne Sexual Health Centre Alfred Health VictoriaMelbourne Sexual Health Centre Alfred Health VictoriaAbstract Objectives: Accessible health services are a key element of effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) control. This study aimed to examine whether there were any differences in accessing sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men (MSM) in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross‐sectional study of MSM attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2016 and 2019. Demographic characteristics, sexual practices, HIV testing practices and STI diagnoses were compared between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible MSM. Results: We included 5,085 Medicare‐eligible and 2,786 Medicare‐ineligible MSM. Condomless anal sex in the past 12 months was more common in Medicare‐eligible compared to Medicare‐ineligible MSM (74.4% vs. 64.9%; p<0.001) although the number of partners did not differ between groups. There was no difference in prior HIV testing practices between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible MSM (76.1% vs. 77.7%; p=0.122). Medicare‐ineligible MSM were more likely to have anorectal chlamydia compared to Medicare‐eligible MSM (10.6% vs. 8.5%; p=0.004). Conclusions: Medicare‐ineligible MSM have less condomless sex but a higher rate of anorectal chlamydia, suggesting they might have limited access to STI testing or may be less willing to disclose high‐risk behaviour. Implications for public health: Scaling up access to HIV and STI testings for Medicare‐ineligible MSM is essential.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13029sexual healthHIVhealth servicemen who have sex with men |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Anysha M. Walia Christopher K. Fairley Catriona S. Bradshaw Marcus Y. Chen Eric P.F. Chow |
spellingShingle |
Anysha M. Walia Christopher K. Fairley Catriona S. Bradshaw Marcus Y. Chen Eric P.F. Chow Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health sexual health HIV health service men who have sex with men |
author_facet |
Anysha M. Walia Christopher K. Fairley Catriona S. Bradshaw Marcus Y. Chen Eric P.F. Chow |
author_sort |
Anysha M. Walia |
title |
Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men |
title_short |
Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men |
title_full |
Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men |
title_fullStr |
Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men |
title_full_unstemmed |
Disparities in characteristics in accessing public Australian sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men |
title_sort |
disparities in characteristics in accessing public australian sexual health services between medicare‐eligible and medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men |
publisher |
Wiley |
series |
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
issn |
1326-0200 1753-6405 |
publishDate |
2020-10-01 |
description |
Abstract Objectives: Accessible health services are a key element of effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) control. This study aimed to examine whether there were any differences in accessing sexual health services between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible men who have sex with men (MSM) in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross‐sectional study of MSM attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2016 and 2019. Demographic characteristics, sexual practices, HIV testing practices and STI diagnoses were compared between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible MSM. Results: We included 5,085 Medicare‐eligible and 2,786 Medicare‐ineligible MSM. Condomless anal sex in the past 12 months was more common in Medicare‐eligible compared to Medicare‐ineligible MSM (74.4% vs. 64.9%; p<0.001) although the number of partners did not differ between groups. There was no difference in prior HIV testing practices between Medicare‐eligible and Medicare‐ineligible MSM (76.1% vs. 77.7%; p=0.122). Medicare‐ineligible MSM were more likely to have anorectal chlamydia compared to Medicare‐eligible MSM (10.6% vs. 8.5%; p=0.004). Conclusions: Medicare‐ineligible MSM have less condomless sex but a higher rate of anorectal chlamydia, suggesting they might have limited access to STI testing or may be less willing to disclose high‐risk behaviour. Implications for public health: Scaling up access to HIV and STI testings for Medicare‐ineligible MSM is essential. |
topic |
sexual health HIV health service men who have sex with men |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13029 |
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