Filling Gaps in the HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Cascade Through Counseling

Launched by UNITY HEALTH TORONTO · Nov 25, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how effective a new guide can be in helping healthcare providers talk to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) about HIV prevention using a medication called PrEP. PrEP is taken by HIV-negative individuals to lower their chances of getting HIV. In this study, some healthcare providers will complete a short online training to learn more about PrEP and how to address the specific concerns that GBM might have when trying to access this medication. The goal is to see if this training can improve discussions about HIV prevention in a supportive manner.

To participate, healthcare providers need to be licensed to practice in Ontario and expect to see at least five GBM who may be eligible for PrEP in the next three months. On the other hand, GBM who want to participate must be over 19, self-identify as a gender different from cisgender women, and have a clinical reason for needing PrEP, such as recent condomless sex with other men. Participants can expect to fill out questionnaires about their experience, and some may be interviewed by the research team. This study aims to enhance understanding and support around HIV prevention in the community.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Eligible participants at the provider level ('provider-participants') will be nurses, nurse practitioners, counselors and physicians working at sexual health clinics, public health clinics and primary care practices, with or without experience giving PrEP counseling.
• 1A. Inclusion criteria for provider-participants:
• • For practicing health-care professionals, hold a valid license to practice in Ontario (this includes resident physicians)
• • Anticipate encountering a minimum of five PrEP-eligible GBM and TGNC eligible for PrEP in the three months after enrolling in the study
• • 1B. Exclusion criteria for provider-participants
• • Anticipate to stop working at their current practice site before the end of the study
• • 2A. Inclusion criteria for user-participants
• • Be \> 19 years of age
• • Self-identify as a gender different from cisgender woman
• • Be presenting to their provider for sexual health/HIV testing or any other services
• • Not having used PrEP in the three months prior to enrollment
• • Having clinical indication for PrEP as per the Canadian PrEP guideline (i.e.: -
• • Report having condomless anal sex with a man in the preceding 6 months plus any of the following: syphilis in the past year, rectal gonorrhea, LGV or chlamydia in the past year, use of PEP at least twice, ongoing sexual relationship with a person living with HIV with detectable viral load, or HIRI-MSM score \> 11 if available).
• • 2B. Exclusion criteria for user-participants
• • User-participants who have already received an invitation to participate in the study and declined will not be included since that means they would have received the intervention or the control in the past.
• • Users who request getting on PrEP due to high self-perceived risk despite not meeting the clinical criteria specified above, will not be included.
• • Not being able to communicate in English