Experiences and perceptions of sexual health services among young gay and bisexual men who have sex with men in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has experienced an increasing burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, accounting for 83% of HIV diagnoses in 2021. This evaluation examined men who have sex with men's perceptions of the effectiveness, gaps, and needs of sexual health services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 men who have sex with men in Rhode Island recruited from community-based organizations, listservs, and social apps from September 2023 to February 2024. Thematic analysis focused on barriers and facilitators of HIV testing, past experiences with STI testing and notification services, and access to sexual health information. Participants highlighted barriers to testing services such as location, stigma, and transportation, as well as facilitators (e.g., convenience, welcoming environment, co-located services). Participants expressed difficulties in accessing and understanding general health information as it pertained to HIV and STIs. Our findings suggest that men who have sex with men experience barriers to accessing and navigating sexual health services. HIV and other STI mitigation infrastructure must be embedded within resources that are already accessible to these populations.