Lecture: Internet-based approaches to proactive screening of young heterosexual men for Chlamydia trachomatis: what do young men think?

November 01, 2012 5:00 PM

Young men often remain at the periphery of chlamydia screening yet technology, such as the Internet, offers exciting potential for sexual health promotion. This presentation describes the results of a formative, exploratory study of Scottish young men’s (16-24) views towards Internet-based chlamydia screening. Whilst most men considered the proposed approach to be acceptable, there was an age-related difference in digital tastes and individual use of new technologies. Young men should be engaged as co-producers of intervention materials and websites, to ensure messages and content are framed appropriately within a fast changing environment. The seminar will include a discussion on the ways in which evidence is being used in the UK to inform proactive screening of young men for chlamydia.

Presenter: Dr Karen Lorimer is a Research Fellow in Public Health at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, UK. She is a sociologist (PhD, University of Glasgow) and leads a portfolio of work around social and behavioural dimensions of sexual health, methods for reaching hard-to-reach populations (e.g. young men, older people), and impact of technology on sexual behaviour and sexual health. Recent work on the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions among men who have sex with men (MSM) has informed the Scottish guidance for HIV prevention interventions among MSM. She is leading the development of a Sexual Health Research Network in the UK. Karen is a member of the inaugural cohort of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland (est. 2011). She is also Co-Convenor of the Young Academy Health and Wellbeing working group and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK).

Hosted by Youth Sexual Health Team

B108

2206 East Mall