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An evidence-based guideline for online health education program for men who have sex with men (MSM)

Sex among men has been existed in all society with variety of reasons. They are often stigmatized by other people. As a result, men who have sex with men (MSM) are less willing to expose themselves even if they have health problems.

To increase the awareness of the public and establish trust relationship within health organizations and MSM, Internet is a good platform to promote health concepts and health education.

In recent 10 years, Internet becomes popular. There was an increasing trend that MSM people are using Internet to seek partners. As a result, the sexually transmitted infections (STI) among MSM people had been increasing in recent years. The global population of HIV infection among MSM increased from3.9 million in 2007 to 20.4 million in 2010. It is predicted that the number will further increase to 23.3 million in 2015 (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS [UNAIDS], 2011).

In Hong Kong the HIV infection rate among MSM is still increasing around 42.4% of HIV infected cases were MSM (Department of Health, 2010).Therefore, a comprehensive health promotion program is needed to promote safer sex and prevent further spread of STI in Hong Kong.

Internet-based Sex Education Program is a health promotion program that was held in many countries. Those studies used webpage containing sex education materials such as STI knowledge, STI prevention methods, information about risky sexual behavior, knowledge of condom using skills, negotiation skills with partners and information of STI screening. Results showed that internet-based sex education program is successful in most countries.

Three electron bibliographical databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were used to search the relevant primary studies. After assessing the quality of the studies, six studies were found fulfilling the criteria of the program. By comparing the transferability and feasibility of the interventions of the six reviewed literatures, a new guideline was set. Stake holders were identified and through communication with the stake holders, a pilot study plan was designed and data collected from the pilot study would be used to modify the online health education program and provide a better nursing care for MSM clients.

Online health education program for MSM contributes a better platform to promote sexual health through internet. The program helps to prevent STI and HIV transmission and it is expected that the guideline of the program can be used by different health care settings such as hospitals or clinics when they are providing health education to MSM clients. A decrease of STI and HIV infection among MSM clients is expected since the program is carried out in public settings and hoping that MSM clients could gain benefit from it. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

  1. 10.5353/th_b4833531
  2. b4833531
Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:HKU/oai:hub.hku.hk:10722/174273
Date January 2012
CreatorsChow, Yung-wai., 周勇偉.
PublisherThe University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong)
Source SetsHong Kong University Theses
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypePG_Thesis
Sourcehttp://hub.hku.hk/bib/B48335319
RightsThe author retains all proprietary rights, (such as patent rights) and the right to use in future works., Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License
RelationHKU Theses Online (HKUTO)

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