Grant: CIHR Fellowship

When compared with heterosexual and gay men, bisexual men often experience worse health outcomes including more substance use, higher sexual risk behaviour, and poorer mental health. In spite of this, almost all studies looking at sexual risk and substance use over time group gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men together, regardless of their sexual orientation. This is problematic because bisexual men have different health needs and face different challenges because of their sexual orientation. This study aims to examine patterns of sexual risk, substance use, and associated characteristics (for example: age, income, mental health, and social support) over the course of four years in a large sample of bisexual men in Vancouver, BC. Additionally, we seek to determine the population-estimates and prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in this population. Finally, we will compare sexual risk, substance use, and associated characteristics among bisexual men in Vancouver to a similar sample of exclusively gay men to identify meaningful differences to inform treatment and prevention programs. This research is important because bisexual men are often over looked in "gay men's health research" - a catch-all phrase used to describe research among all men who have sex with men. As a result, we do not fully understand the needs of this community. Working in partnership with members of the community and community-based organizations, we will use the results of this study to increase awareness and acceptance of bisexual men within the LGBT community, inform policy and prevention activities, and increase outreach to bisexual individuals. This work will increase the scientific understanding of bisexual men's health needs and will enable service providers and health care specialists to better serve the needs of this marginalized population in BC and across Canada.