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A Boston Men’s Health Survey, 2021

How to Participate

Sign-up here! This is a confidential survey. So, remember to sign-up using your coupon code, a 4-digit number your referring friend should’ve given you.

Quick Tips:

You can only participate if you were referred by someone
Not everyone will be selected to participate
Our free HIV tests are only available to our participants who complete the survey
Without a valid coupon you will not be able to sign-up for the survey
At the end of your interview, you will be paid $50. If you elected to recruit you will be given coupon codes to distribute and given the chance to receive an additional $25 for taking a free, confidential in-person rapid HIV test at our office in Cambridge

About the Project

Every 3 years, the Boston Men’s Health Survey visits local gay bars, clubs, sports teams and other queer focused organizations throughout the Boston area and completes confidential health surveys and rapid HIV tests with men in Boston. You may have seen our team outside of local bars and clubs, testing and surveying people! But this year is different. We will be conducting our survey via Zoom and offering free HIV testing at the Fenway Health office in Central Square, Cambridge.

A quick breakdown:

FAQ

No one referred me, can I still participate?

No. To be in the survey everyone needs to have been given a coupon from someone who has already participated and not everyone will be selected to participate.

How did the first people get their coupons?

We pre select the first participants ourselves – but this phase of the project is over.

How should I prepare to take my survey interview?

Check your email inbox to make sure you note down the correct date and time of your interview. Your Zoom link will be included in the email.
Try to find a room or space where you are alone and feel comfortable speaking freely on the topics of sex, drugs, and health practices.
Grab a glass of water, it is important to stay hydrated!
Please show up to your interview on time

I’m so sorry, something came up! Can I reschedule my interview or HIV test?

Of course! At your earliest convenience, please call us Monday-Friday any time between 9AM-5PM at (857)-206-4899.

How do I get paid?

If you are selected into the survey, you will be paid by VISA gift card. We can email you the gift card.

If you do not want to supply your email, you will have to schedule a separate appointment to pick up the gift card from our Cambridge based office.

Can I be paid in cash instead?

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we cannot pay you cash. We can however offer you a VISA gift card to be sent via email or during a scheduled pick-up.

I already did my interview, but I chose not to sign-up to take the rapid HIV test. Can I still schedule an appointment to take the rapid HIV test?

No, you had to consent to HIV testing during the interview process in order to be eligible to test through us. We can refer you to other HIV testing in the Boston area but it will not be part of your participation with us – and we won’t be able to pay you the $25 incentive.

I made an appointment but forget when and where it is. How can I find out?

Option 1: Check your email (even the spam folder) for a confirmation email. Our confirmation and reminder emails will have all the information you need.

Option 2: Call us! Our study phone hours are Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM. You can reach us at (857)-206-4899.

Is there anything I should bring to the in-person HIV test?

Yourself, a mask, and your coupon code.

Can I bring a friend to my in-person testing appointment?

No, thank you. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only the scheduled individual will be allowed in the building. Please do not bring anyone else to your appointment. If you do, they will be asked to wait outside.

Can I use your bathroom?

Sorry! Due to COVID-19, our health protocol restricts us from offering bathroom privileges to participants. The City of Cambridge has a public bathroom at the corner of Massachusetts Ave. and Western Ave. and there are bathrooms in most of the local coffeeshops.

My friend completed the interview, how do I get paid the $20 referral bonus?

The $20 peer-referral fee is paid only after the person you referred completes their interview. For the first person you refer who successfully completes their interview, you will receive $40.

Please call our study phone at (857)-206-4899 to check if you have any rewards waiting for you.

How do I use my Visa Gift Card online?

Use your Visa Gift Card as you would your normal Debit/Credit card, by entering your own information (Address, Name, etc.) If you run into issues, we suggest listing “FENWAY COMMUNITY HEALTH” as the cardholder name.

NHBS History and Importance

NHBS has evolved from its origins during the last decade to become a diverse survey that encompasses sexual health and HIV risk behaviours, access to testing, exposure to and use of prevention and care services among persons at high risk for infection or transmission, and survey questions on social issues, health and well-being in Boston.

NHBS operates through activities designed to monitor HIV risk behaviors in order to assist in prevention, education, service initiatives, and allocation of prevention resources.

NHBS data is also used to give behavioral context to other data collected nationwide.

The ultimate goal of the project is a nationwide system that combines information on HIV infection, disease progression, and behaviors and characteristics of people at high risk. By meeting this goal, we assist our local and national public health agencies in directing prevention funding to where it is needed most.

About Us

Jenny Mutén

Jenny Mutén joined the NHBS team in 2019 following her work with AmeriCorps. She believes strongly in the power of youth and the important role public health plays in creating an equitable future. When not overseeing her project duties, Jenny is very likely watercolor painting, baking, or drinking water.

Justin Hinchey

Starting his work with NHBS as a field interviewer in 2011 – Justin has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work NHBS Boston does each year. The only things he loves more than NHBS are: industrial strength coffee, pancakes, and motorcycles. Some of Justin’s dislikes include sacrificing his fingers for testing training each spring and meetings that could’ve been emails. He is most at-home when out in the field with the team or ‘in the trenches’ at an event.

Spencer Paresky

Taking a semester off from pursuing a degree in Sociology, Spencer joined the NHBS team in 2018 as a field interviewer, and returned in 2020 to act as Field Supervisor for NHBS. Spencer thoroughly believes in the importance of HIV surveillance, and loves working in public health. He enjoys field work and interacting with the wide range of participants we work with. On any given day, Spencer can be found doting over his home aquarium of exotic fish, eating copious amounts of Dunkin Donuts, or working on his cars.

Brandon Mui

Brandon is a returning field interviewer at NHBS and believes that the work done enriches and encourages community growth. At home, Brandon might usually be baking confections or gaming online with friends, all the while dreaming of a simple life fostering dogs on a small ranch.

Will Christmann

A recent college graduate, Will is thrilled to join the NHBS team. Committed to public health and resource accessibility, he looks forward to engaging his community in this important work. When not at work, Will is an avid fan of good bagels, bad TV, and the occasional novel.

Men in the Know