As part of the MPH programme Meigan completed a placement based dissertation project alongside North Lincolnshire Council, undertaking a piece of qualitative research at a local level.
Project title: Assessment of the Perceptions of Local Sexual Health Stakeholders, Surrounding the Sexual and Associated Health Needs of ‘Men who have Sex with Men’ in North Lincolnshire.
1. To assess the perceptions of the stakeholders regarding the sexual and associated health needs of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) living in the North Lincolnshire.
2. To evaluate the extent to which the stakeholders perceive that the services in place adequately address the sexual and associated health needs of MSM.
3. To assess if the stakeholders feel adequately knowledgeable, trained and have access to the resources needed to address the needs of MSM in the local area.
4. To gain an insight into the views of the stakeholders and how the services could be improved to adequately address the perceived sexual health needs of MSM.
Conclusion: This study is the first to address the needs of MSM in North Lincolnshire. Inmet needs have been identified and services and commissioning improvements have been highlighted.
Although this study was small, it has provided a unique insight which could be used to help shape future services and commissioning locally. Due to the complexed nature of MSM, further research with the MSM population is suggested to further local understanding.
