Men Who Have Sex With Men
Prevention (PREV)
About The Study
CTNPT 051 is assessing the acceptability and desired components of a new HIV/STBBI prevention intervention delivered via MindMapBC, a sexual and gender minority (SGM)-affirming mental health service finder tool.
Given the lack of research demonstrating the feasibility of an HIV/STBBI prevention intervention embedded within an SGM-focused mental health service finder tool, CTNPT 051 will generate the evidence needed to develop a pilot intervention, which will be tested in the next stage of research.
Background
People who identify as SGM, i.e., Two-Spirit, transgender, gay, bisexual, queer, otherwise non-heterosexual or non-cisgender people including men who have sex with men (MSM), experience higher rates of HIV, STBBIs, depression, and anxiety. Because HIV/STBBIs and mental health conditions often occur together, integrated interventions aimed to support SGM are warranted. While several Canadian HIV/STBBI clinics have explored tools to understand and refer clients for mental health treatment and support, little, if any, research has been done to explore the converse: understanding and referring mental health clients to HIV/STBBI prevention services.
Providing HIV/STBBI prevention tools alongside mental health supports has the potential to significantly improve HIV-related outcomes for SGM in several ways, including supporting mental health throughout the testing process, thereby increasing uptake of testing, improving adherence to PrEP, and supporting sexual communication and decision-making.
Study Approach
The quantitative component of CTNPT 051 will involve 500 users of MindMapBC. The research team will run an advertisement campaign on Facebook, Instagram, and Grindr that highlights the relationship between sexual health and mental health among SGM, and encourages individuals to visits MindMapBC and complete an anonymous survey on sexual/mental health combination interventions.
The qualitative component of CTNPT 051 will involve 15 survey respondents from the quantitative component who have consented to being contacted again. To maximize diversity, the researchers will ensure at least three to five participants in the qualitative component are younger than 30, transgender or non-binary, and living in non-urban settings. Interviews will be conducted through video conferencing software, where the research team will re-present the interventions surveyed in the quantitative section and ask participants specifically what they like and dislike about the interventions. These interviews will be recorded, transcribed, and analyzed.
Eligibility Requirements
Inclusion Criteria
Quantitative component of CTNPT 051
- Live in B.C.
- At least 15 years of age
- Visited MindMapBC at least once (including first time visitors)
Qualitative component of CTNPT 051
- Identify as SGM (i.e., sexual orientation other than heterosexual and/or gender identity that differs from that assigned at birth)
- No history of HIV diagnosis
- Agree with primary outcome statements regarding proposed interventions, i.e., “I would be interested in using X, if offered through MindMap”
- Meet “HIV risk” criteria established in provincial guidelines for PrEP
Additional Information
If you would like to take part in this study or want more information, please contact Samira Karsiem, Community Engagement Specialist at samira_karsiem@sfu.ca.
Principal Investigators
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