Welcome to the webpage of the MAIL study – an interview study of views about parenthood and intimate life among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men in London.
About the study
Men’s Attitudes to Intimate Life (MAIL) seeks to find out how younger gay and bisexual men living with HIV approach their personal life and what they think about the future. The study is funded by the British HIV Association and the Wellcome Trust. It is conducted by the Reproductive Sociology Research Group (ReproSoc) at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with HIV clinics in London.
Why is this study taking place?
Based on available estimates, 1 in 20 gay men in the UK – and 1 in 10 gay men in London – have HIV. Many research studies have focused on the sexual health of gay and bisexual men, but the reproductive health of this population has received little attention. Studies of gay fathers rarely mention HIV and what we know about HIV-positive parenthood concerns heterosexual women and couples. There is virtually no scientific evidence about what men who live with HIV and who form same-sex relationships think about having children. At a time of medical advancements in antiretroviral treatment and the growing visibility and social acceptance of gay fatherhood, it is important to have such evidence.
What does the study aim to do?
The study explores views about issues such as fertility, family planning and ageing in a group of younger (20-45 years old) gay and bisexual men living with HIV, through in-depth interviews with patients and healthcare practitioners at HIV clinics in London. The study also examines whether patients and practitioners talk about reproductive health issues, whether there is a need for such discussions or for particular kinds of information and whether any communication barriers exist.
How will the study’s findings be useful?
The study’s findings will help develop guidelines to facilitate effective communication with HIV-positive men about their reproductive health. More broadly, the findings will help understand how younger gay and bisexual men living with HIV approach the prospect of becoming parents or remaining childfree. This will have further implications for more general health and social care provision, which needs to reflect the changing realities of living with HIV and of forming same-sex relationships.
Preliminary findings
Between May and December 2016, with help from research staff at HIV clinics, we interviewed patients (gay and bisexual men, 20-45 years old, HIV-positive and without children) and healthcare practitioners who work with this patient group. You can read about our preliminary findings here.
The study’s final findings will be published soon, along with resources about parenthood possibilities for people living with HIV and practitioners. To keep informed, you can follow us on Twitter (@mail_study)
Chief Investigator
Dr Robert Pralat (University of Cambridge)
Principal Investigators
Professor Jane Anderson (Homerton University Hospital)
Dr Tristan Barber (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital)
Dr Fiona Burns (Royal Free Hospital)
Research Assistant
Ms Elizabeth Yarrow (University of Cambridge)
Academic Supervisors
Professor Sarah Franklin (University of Cambridge)
Professor Martin Johnson (University of Cambridge)
Collaborators
Dr Marta Boffito (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital)
Dr Tabitha Freeman (University of Cambridge)
Contact us
For inquiries about the study, email Robert at rp422@cam.ac.uk.