Sexualized drug use in virtual space: A scoping review of how gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men interact online.

Citation

Patten, S., Doria, N., Joy, P., Sinno, J., Spencer, R., LeBlanc, MA., Holmes, D., & Numer, M. (2020). Sexualized drug use in virtual space: A scoping review of how gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men interact online. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2019-0052

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the scope of the current literature on sexualized drug use (SDU) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), particularly in online spaces. Over the last decade, there has been a rapid emergence of online venues for GBMSM to interact for sexual purposes. These spaces have also been infused with various substances that influence or shape the sexual interactions among GBMSM. Employing a scoping review methodology, we explored the interplay between GBMSM, SDU, and online dating and hookup apps. This scoping review presents four themes emerging from the literature: the connection between social networking apps (SNAs) and SDU, the planning and coordination of sex parties, accessing drugs through SNAs, and the coded language that emerges on SNAs. These findings synthesize the important relationship between GBMSM and SDUs, and identify the implications for health promotion.

https://doi.org/10.3138/cjhs.2019-0052

Exploring Top Hat’s impact on undergraduate students' belongingness, engagement, and self-confidence: A mixed methods study.

Citation

Spencer, R., Sinno, J., Hatfield, K., Biderman, M., Doria, N., & Numer, M. (2020). Exploring Top Hat’s impact on undergraduate students' belongingness, engagement, and self-confidence: A mixed methods study. Journal of Research on Technology in Education. DOI: 10.1177/160940690600500107

Abstract

Evidence suggests that the use of educational technologies may promote positive learning environments and contribute to students’ success. The following mixed methods study examined the impact of Top Hat in a blended learning environment on undergraduate students’ sense of belongingness, engagement, and self-confidence in a Canadian post-secondary institution. A survey study measured students’ sense of belongingness, engagement, and self-confidence before and after the course, which used Top Hat. The results show a significant increase in belongingness and self-confidence, but a decrease in engagement. Contrarily, focus groups revealed that using Top Hat may improve the overall learning experience. Limitations and future recommendations are discussed.

https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2020.1722977

Grinding Against HIV Discourse: A Critical Exploration of Social Sexual Practices in Gay Cruising Apps.

Citation

Numer, M., Holmes, D., Joy, P., Thompson, R., & Doria, N. (2019). Grinding Against HIV Discourse: A Critical Exploration of Social Sexual Practices in Gay Cruising Apps. Gender, Technology and Development. DOI: 10.1080/09718524.2019.1684022

Abstract

Social networking applications (SNAs), such as Grindr, are shaping the identities and sexual practices of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). This qualitative study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the role of such technologies in social sexual practices, particularly in relation to risk management and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs). Poststructuralism and queer theory were used to critically examine the relationship between GBM and SNAs in a sample of people who use Grindr. Sixteen people, identifying as men who used Grindr, were interviewed. Discourse analysis was employed to critically examine the relationship between GBM and SNAs, and three threads of discourse emerged: Language and images, Filtering, and Trust. These threads of discourse provide insight into how the sexual beliefs, values, and practices of GBM are shaped on SNAs.

https://doi.org/10.1080/09718524.2019.1684022

Graphic facilitation as a tool to guide community-based research on Indigenous boys’ and men’s sexual health.

Citation

Doria, N., Biderman, M., Miller, D., Prosper, A., & Numer, M. (2019). Graphic facilitation as a tool to guide community-based research on Indigenous boys’ and men’s sexual health. Journal of Indigenous HIV Research, 10, 20-27. Retrieved from https://www.ahacentre.ca/uploads/9/6/4/2/96422574/
graphic_facilitation.pdf (Open Access)

Abstract

The sexual health of Indigenous1 boys and men is becoming increasingly recognized as an important area of research (Bingham et al., 2014; Grace 2003; Healey & Meadows, 2007). To date, however, much of the research exploring the sexual health of Indigenous Peoples has focused on women and girls. While further research is needed to explore the sexual health of Indigenous boys and men, future research must consider how interacting and dimensional factors such as colonization, racism, discrimination and prejudice contribute to poor sexual health outcomes (Bird et al., 2016; George et al., 2016; Hallett et al., 2017; Negin, Aspin, Gadsden, & Reading, 2015; Reading, Wien, & National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, 2009; Reading, Loppie, & O’Neil, 2016). It is important to recognize that generations of trauma and abuse have produced the poor social conditions in which Indigenous Peoples experience worse sexual health compared to the national average, such as higher rates of HIV and other STBBIs (Haddad et al., 2018). This paper describes our experience of conducting a community consultation to explore the current state of Indigenous boys and men’s sexual health and wellness. We also discuss our experience of using graphic facilitation as a culturally responsive tool to collect qualitative data on this subject matter. The community consultation is an outcome of a larger program of research that ultimately aims to decrease HIV rates within the Indigenous community across Atlantic Canada and beyond. Ethical approval for this project was obtained from both the Dalhousie Research Ethics Board and Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch

This paper is open source. Read it here.

Community health implications of regulations variances in alcohol retail: An examination of alcohol access and policy in rural and urban Nova Scotia.

Citation

Numer, M., McEachern, J., Rushton, F., Steeves, D., Whiteman, J., & Kirk, S. (2018). Community health implications of regulations variances in alcohol retail: An examination of alcohol access and policy in rural and urban Nova Scotia. International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, 9(4), 37-46.

Abstract

Context: This report examines the potential health impact associated with the current state of alcohol retail formats within the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia, focusing on discrepancies between rural and urban regions. This research includes a review of the literature, a situational policy assessment, and reviewed documentation of alcohol retail practices in Nova Scotia in order to assess the potential impact on health. A growing body of global evidence demonstrates that greater levels of access to alcohol lead to increased levels of alcohol consumption, and greater levels of alcohol-related harm. This finding remains consistent within the Nova Scotia context. Research indicates that how alcohol is made available within communities (i.e., regulation, store location, design, and density) has a profound impact on health. According to this research, regulatory and policy gaps have led to a system wherein rural Nova Scotia retails alcohol within mixed-commodity stores (i.e., convenience, grocery, gas outlets), often co-locating highly marketed alcohol alongside products such as pop, candy, and salty snacks. In urban regions of the province, alcohol is sold within standalone stores (outlets that strictly sell alcohol) and caters exclusively to adults above the legal drinking age (19 in the Province of Nova Scotia). The mixed retail format is resulting in a system that disproportionally and negatively impacts rural communities of Nova Scotia. We conclude that given the continued overall increase in access to alcohol across Nova Scotia and the progressive expansion of the rural agency store system, an independent public health impact assessment should be completed.

https://doi.org/10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v09i04/37-46

Gay men’s sexual health promotion in virtual space: Exploring stakeholders’ attitudes and approaches to outreach on mobile apps in Nova Scotia.

Citation

Thompson, R., Joy, P., Numer, M., & Holmes, D. (2018). Gay men’s sexual health promotion in virtual space: Exploring stakeholders’ attitudes and approaches to outreach on mobile apps in Nova Scotia. The International Journal of Community Diversity, 18(3-4), 17-29.

Abstract

HIV infections are still are a concern for many gay men in Canada despite prevention efforts. Social networking applications (SNAs) have predominantly been where gay men meet for sexual encounters. Grindr is the most common app used, which is a GPS-enabled SNA that was released in 2009. In Nova Scotia, there is a culture of silence in the gay community surrounding HIV/AIDS discourses. It is suggested that the perspective of professional stakeholders in sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) prevention is needed to enhance prevention efforts. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the perspectives of service providers regarding STBBI risk on one SNA for gay men. Key stakeholders in this current study were sexual health service providers working in Nova Scotia. Four stakeholders were interviewed as part of a larger study. Secondary thematic analysis was employed to examine this data for this research project. The interviewed stakeholders experienced outreach challenges because of the “changed landscape” of online partner finding. Stakeholders have an interest in accessing these spaces for prevention and suggest that online forums such as Grindr can be used for sexual health prevention aimed at gay men. Further, leaders in the gay men’s community may be able to help service providers understand the implications and potential contributions of sexual health promotion efforts.

http://hdl.handle.net/10222/75936

Constituting the ideal body: A poststructural analysis of “obesity” discourses among gay men.

Citation

Joy, P., & Numer, M. (2018). Constituting the ideal body: A poststructural analysis of “obesity” discourses among gay men. Journal of Critical Dietetics, 4(1), 47-58. (open access)

Abstract

Ideal bodies are constituted through various social and cultural discourses. One such discourse that constitutes bodies is the “obesity” discourse. The term obesity is a contested and medicalizing term that constitutes a view of fat people as unhealthy, immoral, and undesirable. Obesity discourses, therefore, also constitute notions of the bodies and body types that are thought to be healthy, acceptable, and attractive. The effects of obesity discourses can be prominently observed in gay men’s culture where muscular, white, thin bodies are glorified. This paper employs a poststructural framework to examine how desired bodies are constituted in gay culture. This paper also explores how some gay men resist dominant obesity discourses. A critical review of the literature on fatness, body dissatisfaction, and the influence of gay culture on eating practices among gay men informs this work. Various studies have shown that gay culture can constitute experiences of body dissatisfaction, rejection, and isolation for many men, especially for those that fall outside the idealized version of male bodies or who are labelled as “obese”. Implications for critical dietitians who are working with gay men are discussed.

This paper is open access. Read it here.

Queering educational practices in dietetics training: A critical review of LGBTQ inclusion strategies.

Citation

Joy, P., & Numer, M. (2018). Queering educational practices in dietetics training: A critical review of LGBTQ inclusion strategies. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 79, 1-6. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2018-006

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people (LGBTQ) have unique concerns regarding their nutritional health while experiencing disparities within the Canadian healthcare system. Dietetic training programs often do not provide adequate knowledge or skills to students to be competent in meeting the needs of this population. Drawing from literature from other health programs, this paper outlines key strategies to the integration of LGBTQ curriculum into dietetic training programs. LGBTQ training can help students gain cultural competencies, knowledge and understanding of the LGBTQ communities, and the nutritional concerns within them.

http://dx.doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2018-006

It takes a community: An environmental scan exploring the effectiveness of teenage pregnancy prevention strategies in North America.

Citation

Johnson, S., & Numer, M. (2017). It takes a community: An environmental scan exploring the effectiveness of teenage pregnancy prevention strategies in North America. The International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, 7(3), 25-44. DOI:10.18848/2156-8960.

Abstract

Background: Employing successful strategies grounded in evidence-based literature is important in preventing teenage pregnancy and subsequent teen parenthood (Strunk 2008). From 2006-2010 the rate of teenage pregnancy rose in Canada after forty years of a steady downward trajectory (McKay 2012). Prevention strategies that do not consider local context and culture have had limited success in adapting to Canada’s society and youth (Strunk 2008). Evaluations are rare and have been unable to identify the impact that community factors have on prevention strategies. Purpose: This study explored how the literature (academic and grey) discuss the effectiveness of teenage pregnancy prevention strategies. Methods: A total of thirty-one sources were analyzed to identify effective approaches to teenage pregnancy prevention. CINAHL and Psychinfo were the consulted health-related databases. Grey literature sources include government policies and legislations and public blogs. The data was examined using a thematic analysis of secondary data. A colour coding approach was used to identify relevant themes and sub-themes. Results: The results of the study highlight successful teen pregnancy prevention strategies. Four main themes were identified throughout the literature: youth development, community engagement, program implementation, and sexual health focus. Conclusion: Focusing on effective approaches can inform recommendations for the development of future strategies.

https://doi.org/10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v07i04/25-44

HIV/AIDS and the public health paradox: A poststructural discourse analysis of the impact of HIV Messaging on gay men in Nova Scotia.

Citation

Numer, M., Gahagan, J., Brown, M., & Atkinson, S. (2017). HIV/AIDS and the public health paradox: A poststructural discourse analysis of the impact of HIV Messaging on gay men in Nova Scotia. The International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, 7(3), 91-104. DOI: 10.18848/2156-8960.

Abstract

Three decades of public health and health promotion policies and programs, in Nova Scotia, have aimed to reduce the rate of new HIV infections. Yet, gay men in this province continue to experience the highest rates of HIV transmission and have the highest proportion of people living with this disease in Canada. In this paper, the authors employ a Foucauldian conceptual framework and a qualitative post-structural discourse analysis to examine the role of public health in HIV messaging and how this has shaped our knowledge and understanding of gay men in the modern age of HIV/AIDS. Seventeen HIV activists in Nova Scotia were interviewed, and the transcripts are the textual source of the discourse analysis. An investigation of local public health efforts can illustrate the impact of the often-unseen dimensions of power and also the unintended consequences of health messaging on target populations. The findings suggest that public health efforts aimed at HIV prevention and stigma reduction are neither apolitical nor neutral. Rather, while these public policy efforts are aimed at HIV prevention, by attempting to regulate sexual subjectivities, they have become a form of discourse that has entered into the subject experience of gay men. This paper explores some of the ways in which public health HIV discourse impacts the subject experience by examining the effects of mainstreaming HIV messaging, sanitizing messaging for public consumption, and avoiding candid discussions about gay men’s sexual practices in the context of public health.

https://doi.org/10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v07i03/91-104

The use of photo elicitation to explore the benefits of queer student advocacy groups in university.

Citation

Joy, P., & Numer, M. (2017). The use of photo elicitation to explore the benefits of queer student advocacy groups in university. Journal of LGBT Youth, 14(1), 31-50. DOI: 10.1080/19361653.2016.1256247.

Abstract

University can be a critical time for queer identifying youth as they attempt to navigate new relationships and heteronormative and, sometimes, hostile environments. Involvement in queer student groups is one strategy to develop protective mechanisms for these students. This research examines the effect of participation in a queer advocacy group at a local university in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, using a qualitative photo elicitation method. Four themes—learning, safe environments, shared emotional connection, and personal fulfillment and growth—emerged concerning the effects of their involvement in the group. As a research method, photo elicitation was determined to be an effective tool for queer identifying youth, allowing for in-depth exploration of the data and self-reflection. Recommendations for queer student advocacy groups are given. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)

https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2016.1256247

Technology and the post-secondary classroom: A critical inquiry into BYOD student experience in human sexuality.

Citation

Numer, M., & Spencer, R. (2016) Technology and the post-secondary classroom: A critical inquiry into BYOD student experience in human sexuality. International Journal of Technologies in Learning, 24(1), 1-13. DOI: 10.18848/2327-0144/CGP/v24i01/1-13

Abstract

The study sought to investigate student’s perspectives on the use of the response through a pre-post critical thinking test, questionnaire, focus groups, and open-ended survey questions. The findings from the focus groups and open-ended survey are presented here. A qualitative description methodology was employed to conduct the research and thematic analysis was used in coding and presentation of the findings. The study was conducted over three semesters. Approximately 1100 students were given the opportunity to answer the survey questions over the three semesters. Four focus groups were conducted during this time. The findings suggest that BYOD contributes to student critical thinking and engagement.

https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-0144/CGP/v24i01/1-13

Bring your own device technology: Preliminary results from a mixed methods study to explore student experience of in-class response systems in post-secondary education.

Citation

Numer, M., & Spencer, R. (2015). Bring your own device technology: Preliminary results from a mixed methods study to explore student experience of in-class response systems in post-secondary education. Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 13(1), 1-6.

Masculinity, coping, and weightlifting in university men: A qualitative description of coping and psychological benefit.

Citation

Hutt, E., & Numer, M. (2015). Masculinity, coping, and weightlifting in university men: A qualitative description of coping and psychological benefit. Journal of Sporting Cultures and Identities, 6(3), 15-27. DOI: 10.18848/2381-7070/CGP/v06i03/54072

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated how masculinity interacted with the use of weightlifting as a coping mechanism by university-aged men, and what psychological benefits men perceive in that sport. Participants were four men, aged 19 to 22, who lifted weights between three and six times per week. A qualitative description methodology was used to conduct this research and data was collected through individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews. This study found that participants identified with some traditional masculine ideals and described internal validation through weightlifting. The perceived benefits of weightlifting were experienced by becoming stronger, external validation through compliments from others, and reported social benefits from the gym community. The benefits of weightlifting itself were contextual and could either exacerbate or reduce psychological stress. Participants, however, reported important long-term coping benefits from weightlifting. Overall, engaging in weightlifting helped participants cope with psychological stressors, which could help inform practice in the field of men’s psychological and physical health.

https://doi.org/10.18848/2381-7070/CGP/v06i03/54072

A phenomenological inquiry of social support in relation to health and wellbeing among rural queer female youth.

Citation

Cusak, E., & Numer, M. (2012). A phenomenological inquiry of social support in relation to health and wellbeing among rural queer female youth. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: Annual Review, 6(4), 35-48. DOI: 10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v06i04/52067.

Abstract

Introduction: This phenomenological study explores the intersection of social support, rural location and health and wellbeing among self-identified queer female youth. Social support networks can be a protective factor for queer youth by mitigating the effects of discrimination, and influencing health-related behaviors (Saewyc, 2009; Von Ah et al., 2004). Living rurally may present unique challenges for queer youth in fostering strong social connections (Poon & Saewyc, 2009). Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the experiences of social support in relation to overall health and wellbeing among queer female youth living in rural communities. Methods: Data were collected from in-depth interviews with self-identified queer female university students in Halifax, Nova Scotia with varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The participants’ experiences of social support were analyzed through the process of reduction for significance in relation to health and wellbeing. Findings: Emergent themes including hostile school environments, family conflict, supportive friendships and rural communities were associated with participants’ health and wellbeing. Discussion: The findings from this study identify unique social challenges to guide further investigation and to inform inclusive health promotion policy and program development to foster social support and contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of queer female youth.

https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v06i04/52067

The development and validation of sexual health indicators of Canadians youth aged 16 to 24 years.

Citation

Smylie, L., Clarke, B., Doherty, M., Gahagan, J., McKay, A., Numer, M., Otis, J., Smith, G., & Soon, C. (2013). The development and validation of sexual health indicators of Canadians youth aged 16 to 24 years. Public Health Reports: Supplement on Sexual Health, 128(2), 53-61. DOI: 10.1177/00333549131282S106. (Open Access)

Abstract

Objectives
We developed and validated a set of self-administered, multidimensional indicators of sexual health among Canadians aged 16–24 years.

Methods
This study used a mixed-method qualitative and quantitative approach to develop and validate indicators of sexual health We used the four-stage Dillman method to identify, focus-test, pilot-test, and validate key metrics to measure sexual health We collected quantitative data to validate the measures through a computer-assisted self-interviewing program among a purposive sample of 1,158 people aged 16–24 years recruited from four Canadian provinces.

Results
The survey contained 75 items measuring five dimensions of sexual health: (1) physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; (2) approach to sexuality; (3) sexual relationships; (4) sexual experiences; and (5) discrimination, coercion, and violence. Principal components analysis for composite measures found seven components with eigenvalues ≥1. The factor structure was stable across gender, age, size of area of residence, and language in which the survey was completed. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.79 to 0.90. Indicators of condom use at last vaginal sex, protection self-efficacy, sexually transmitted infection/HIV testing self-efficacy, and sexual orientation also showed good construct validity.

Conclusions
The indicators constituted a conceptually grounded survey that is easy for young adults to complete and contains valid, reliable, and psychometrically robust measures The survey instrument provides a tool for future research to collect population-level data to measure and monitor trends in the sexual health of young people in Canada.

https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549131282S106

Healthy aging among LGBT seniors in Canada: A review of the literature.

Citation

Murray, E., Numer, M., Merritt, B., Gahagan, J., & Comber, S. (2012). Healthy aging among LGBT seniors in Canada: A review of the literature. The International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, 1(4), 179-192. DOI: 10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v01i04/4119.

Abstract

This paper discusses a review of the literature on how gender and sexuality impact healthy aging in relation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) seniors. Despite the recognition of the importance of gender and sexuality in relation to health outcomes, the health needs of LGBT seniors have largely been ignored by health policy and program developers and are rarely considered within the scope of practice of many health care professionals. Recent research in the area of LGBT seniors and health care has established the need for greater inclusivity and diversity education among health care workers. While many seniors are comfortable with their sexuality later in life, others may be unable or unwilling to disclose their sexual orientation due to fear of homophobic reactions (Brotman, Ryan, & Cormier, 2003). This review of the literature frames further investigation into the experiences of LGBT seniors and the challenges for caregivers as essential to producing more effective health promotion policies and programs.

http://dx.doi.org/10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v01i04/41193

The sexual health of gay men in the post-AIDS era: Feminist, post-structuralist and queer theory perspectives.

Citation

Numer, M., & Gahagan, J. (2009). The sexual health of gay men in the post-AIDS era: Feminist, post-structuralist and queer theory perspectives. International Journal of Men’s Health, 8(2), 155-168. DOI: 10.3149/jmh.0802.155

Abstract

This article discusses feminist, post-structuralist and queer theories as a framework for masculinities research on sexual health promotion efforts targeting gay men, particularly in relation to HIV prevention. The theories discussed have the potential to challenge the social categories associated with gender, sex, sexual identity and sexual orientation which often determine identities and subjectivities. Recognizing masculinity as a gender "performance" rather than a fixed identity enables health researchers to more fully investigate gendered sexual behaviors which are imbued with social, political and economic meaning. A combined feminist, post-structuralist and queer theoretical framework provides a way to understand how concepts of masculinity organize social interactions and how these in turn shape and inform the sexual health behaviors of men. The purpose of this article is to offer an approach for use by gay men's health researchers working on health promotion.

http://dx.doi.org/10.3149/jmh.0802.155

The sexual health of gay men: Exploring the intersections of identity, masculinities and sexual health promotion.

Citation

Numer, M. (2008). The sexual health of gay men: Exploring the intersections of identity, masculinities and sexual health promotion. The International Journal of Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations Annual Review, 8(3), 249-254. DOI 10.18848/1447-9532/CGP/v08i03/39611

Abstract

This paper will explore the implications of traditional masculinity in relation to public health discourse aimed at the sexual health of gay men. The examination of gay men as gendered subjects who perform gender acts in relation to sexual health practices is critical to addressing issues of diversity in this sector of health care, particularly in relation to HIV/AIDS. Despite the growing attention given to the theory and practice associated with gay men’s sexual health behaviors, there remains a gap in the literature and a lack of understanding of dominant or hegemonic masculinity as it influences the sexual health practices of gay men. Traditionally, there is a paradoxical relationship between gay men and the notions of masculinity. While gay men theoretically hold a subordinate position in the hierarchy of heterosexual hegemonic masculinity, there exists a similar masculine hierarchy within the gay male community which in turn has an erotic association. That is, gay men are often ranked according to their ability to “measure up”, both in relation to other men and as sexual objects, to the standard of hegemonic masculinity which entail power, dominance, invulnerability and more. This situation, along with the recent theorizing of men’s practices of masculinity being associated with their poorer health, leads to the logical conclusion that gay men’s sexual health practices can be linked to a systemic hegemonic masculinity. If the full breadth and depth of sexual health among young gay men are to be considered in the development of health policy and health promotion, the intersections of gender, sex and sexuality must be explored. The aim of this argument is to present issues of diversity within the category “men”, and to illustrate the multiplicities and intersections of identity within the category “gay men”.

https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9532/CGP/v08i03/39611