Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Sexually diverse Muslim men (SDMM) are often reluctant to seek sexual healthcare due to the stigma attached to their intersectional identities associated with faith, ethnicity, and sexuality. Hesitancy to seek sexual healthcare can produce negative health outcomes for SDMM such as sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs). Presenting later can also increase the resources required from the Canadian healthcare system. It is therefore critical to investigate the unique sexual health needs of SDMM, the extent to which the Canadian healthcare system is equipped to address them, and the factors contributing to SDMM's reluctance to seek sexual healthcare. The ultimate goal of the study is to identify pathways to improve sexual healthcare services for SDMM in Canada. A qualitative approach will be adopted to gather comprehensive information about SDMM and the Canadian healthcare system in three phases. The first phase will include interviewing 25-30 SDMM about their engagement in STBBI protective behaviors and their lived experiences of seeking sexual healthcare in Manitoban health facilities. The interviews will also allow SDMM to reflect on their most recent medical/clinical encounter, so gaps in the delivery of sexual healthcare for SDMM are identified. In the second phase, 25-30 sexual healthcare providers will be interviewed to explore their perspectives on the intersectionality of SDMM and how it impacts access to, utilization, and delivery of sexual healthcare. In the third phase, 4-5 hybrid seminars with policy actors will be conducted to discuss the study findings and obtain their suggestions about policymaking for the sexual healthcare of SDMM. The study will help generate three major outputs: new evidence about Canadian SDMM, an advocacy plan, and a model for policy and practice. Researching SDMM is critical to better equip the Canadian healthcare system to deal with diverse population groups, with unique health needs.