Repeating Islands

News circulating that claims that a UNAIDS study found that quarter of the region’s men are bisexual has been deemed to be “misleading and of no merit.” The information was based on Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey, the first ever on-line study of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the region, which has not yet been finalized or even analyzed. One interesting aspect of the survey is that it apparently underscores the “shocking” amount of violence aimed at those thought to be gay or bisexual. See full article below.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has labelled a report published on August 15 on the Observer newspaper as well as in other regional media, claiming that “almost one in four Caribbean men who took part in a recent study described themselves as bisexual,” as misleading and of no merit. The article was supposedly based on preliminary results of a recently concluded regional Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey (CARIMIS) conducted online.

Caribarena had sought clarification on the subject from Cedriann Martin of UNAIDS Caribbean as well as a copy of the actual report. But her response to this inquisition noted that not only was the item inaccurate but the MSM data was not due for release until the end of October. She urged that the public should “disregard misleading media report about Caribbean men and bisexuality.”

“UNAIDS Caribbean wishes to debunk a news story circulating in the regional media over the last 24 hours under the headline, “One in every four Caribbean men bisexual,” Martin said. “The story’s claim that a UNAIDS study found that quarter of the region’s men are bisexual, is misleading and of no merit,” she said.

The statement went on to note that the Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey – the first ever on-line study of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the region – has not yet been finalised as country-specific data are currently being analysed.

“Of the overall sample (of MSM who responded to the survey), 23 per cent declared themselves to be bisexual. This is far different from one in four Caribbean men being bisexual as suggested in the story. Additionally, the sample size of the survey was 3,566 and not 2,566 as the report stated,” she countered. Furthermore, Martin explained that these findings will be finalised by the end of October 2012 and will be released to the regional media directly through the UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team. “For factual information on the study methodology and preliminary findings, please visit www.unaidscaribbean.org,” she advised.

For more information, see www.unaidscaribbean.org

For full article, see http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/news/latest/101342-unaids-challenges-local-media-msm-report.html?template=mobile