HIV and Sexual Health: Social, Behavioural and Epidemiological Research

In 2007, it was estimated that nearly 80,000 people were living with HIV in the UK of whom nearly one third were undiagnosed.  

The two groups most affected by HIV in the UK are gay men and black African heterosexual men and women.

At City University London, Professor Jonathan Elford has established a major programme of research around HIV and sexual health with an emphasis on behavioural, social and epidemiological research.  In recent years researchers at City have examined the Internet as a sexual risk environment among men who have sex with men (MSM); social and behavioural aspects of living with HIV in East London; and the sexual health of ethnic minority MSM in Britain. The research was funded by the MRC and charitable foundations.

PhD students make an important contribution to the research programme. One PhD student examined changing patterns in the epidemiology of HIV among MSM in Britain. She did her PhD by prospective publication whereby she wrote a series of papers for peer-reviewed journals which were incorporated into her thesis. Other PhD students are currently examining HIV and pregnancy among African women living in London; Microbicides, sexuality and sexual health among women in Kwa Zulu Natal in South Africa; the consequences for health care workers of occupational exposure to HIV; and the epidemiology of heterosexually-acquired HIV in England and Wales.

Methodological innovation is a key feature of the HIV and sexual health research programme which uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods.  For her PhD, one student examined the emerging role of the Internet as a research tool in the field of sexual health.

Professor Elford is happy to discuss ideas and proposals with intending research degrees applicants.