Proposal

Author: Aimee Fata Title: Sexually Transmitted Infections and Immunizations in Young Gay and Bisexual Men
Study Question In this study I would like to look at the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and immunizations in young gay and bisexual men in Chicago. While doing this I want to answer the question, what characteristics of young gay and bisexual men are associated with sexually transmitted infections and immunizations? Also, who of this population is most affected? From this study I hope to learn what socio-demographic variables (i.e. age, education, and homelessness) are more highly associated with this health disparity. This question is important because in finding out the answer we could see where there is possibility for intervention and health education. My specific question of sexually transmitted infections and immunizations looks at the broader question of HIV transmission in young gay and bisexual men. The majority of studies that have been done on STIs in the young gay and bisexual population have focused primarily on HIV, and because of this there is not a lot known on the prevalence of other infections and immunization rates in this population. The most relevant research found that relates to my study is titled Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections in Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adolescents; Medical and Public Health Perspective by Paul A. S. Benson et al. This report looks at factors such as access to care and other personal sexual risk factors in the young LGB community. In result from this study it was seen that the young LGB community faces many problems when it comes to sex education; risk reduction strategies are not being taught which is aiding the spread of infections (Benson et. al., 2005) Also, this article states that there needs to be improvement in collecting data on what risk
factors could influence STIs (Benson et. al., 2005). I think that this portrays how the data I will be investigating is important in taking action and mostly overlooked. Another article that showed that there is a lack of action in this area was Two Decades after Vaccine License: Hepatitis B Immunization and Infection among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men by MacKellar et. al. This article demonstrated that many young men who have sex with men receive testing for HIV fairly often but they still lack immunization for hepatitis B (MacKellar et. al., 2001). This vulnerable population is missing opportunities to receive vaccinations that could help their lives (MacKellar et. al., 2001). One of the leading reasons that these immunizations are necessary is because HIV is more easily transmitted when one has already contracted a sexually transmitted infection, and I think this is often overlooked (Center for Disease Control, 2010). These two articles show that the research I am interested in is relevant and necessary to help young gay and bisexual men. They also show how there is a lack of research in this area and the focus in the gay community is devoted to HIV infection, when in reality there are sexually transmitted infections that are just as important. This shows a lack of knowledge in this subject that is so pertinent and incredibly important to the health of this community. Methodology I will be utilizing data that was collected in 2012 as a part of the Chicago Young Mens Health Study (CYMHS). It is a cross sectional study that captures the self-report of 200 young gay and bisexual men. With this data I will describe the prevalence of STIs and immunizations as well as explore the correlations between the different socio-demographic characteristics by using the program SPSS. Logistics regressions will then be run to find the odd ratios. In public
health, correlational and regression analyses are used to measure the association between healthrelated variables and other personal characteristics. Time Table June/ July 2013 August- September October 1st October/November December 1st December- January 2014 Data Analysis Writing Rough Draft of Paper Rough Draft Finished Editing Rough Draft Poster Presentation Final Draft Finished Make Any Changes Needed and Submit Project
Funds No other funds will be needed in order to complete this project. Project Relationship to Faculty Sponsor The data that will be used in this project is a part of the CYMHS that has been directed by faculty member Dr. Bruce for the past few years. I am currently a research assistant for Dr. Bruce, working under a URAP grant to assist in the development of other papers from CYMHS data. During the duration of the project Dr. Bruce will advise me and the study as it develops. Educational Objective My previous experience in working with the CYMHS data has helped me prepare for this study I am proposing. I believe that by completing this project my understanding of conducting epidemiological data will be broadened. Also, as a health science major with a concentration in health education I think that this project will greatly help my goals by looking at a marginalized and disenfranchised group that can be better served with education. In my future endeavors I hope to educate people on prevention methods to help them lead healthier and happier lives. This
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project will help me understand what the necessary steps are to find the possible sources of these problems, because once you find the source, education and prevention is possible.

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Author: Aimee Fata Title: Sexually Transmitted Infections and Immunizations in Young Gay and Bisexual Men

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