How does sexuality education impact the sexual health seeking behaviour of young adult MSM in Singapore?

• Main Author: Chin, Hong Jie
• Other Authors: Christopher Holman
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences; Social Sciences; Sexuality education; Sexual health; MSM
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/175664
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Singapore has seen a troubling rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young adult MSM, despite extensive public health initiatives and a robust healthcare infrastructure. This study examines the effectiveness of school-based sexuality education on the sexual health-seeking behaviours of this demographic utilising a mixed-methods approach, amidst evolving societal attitudes and legislative changes. The results of this paper indicate that sexuality education does not adequately address the unique needs of MSM, with its firm emphasis on abstinence, fear-based messaging, and heterosexual-targeted content which fails to engage with the lived realities of MSM. Participants reported significant gaps in knowledge, particularly regarding asymptomatic STIs and preventive health measures, and expressed concern that stigma and discrimination arising from sexuality education deters MSM from seeking timely and appropriate health services. This study underscores a critical disconnect between the intentions of sexuality education and the practical health needs of young adult MSM in Singapore. To prevent a further increase in rates of STIs and to support the overall well-being of this community, a fundamental shift in educational policy is necessary, to adopt more inclusive, comprehensive, and practical sexual health education that addresses the specific realities of MSM lives and encourages proactive health-seeking behaviours.