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Xiu F, Flores Anato JL, Cox J, Grace D, Hart TA, Skakoon-Sparling S, Dvorakova M, Knight J, Wang L, Gatalo O, Campbell E, Zhang T, Sbihi H, Irvine MA, Mishra S, Maheu-Giroux M. Characteristics of the Sexual Networks of Men Who Have Sex With Men in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver: Insights from Canada's 2022 Mpox Outbreak. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:S293-S304. [PMID: 38323703 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2022-2023 global mpox outbreak disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). We investigated differences in GBM's sexual partner distributions across Canada's 3 largest cities and over time, and how they shaped transmission. METHODS The Engage Cohort Study (2017-2023) recruited GBM via respondent-driven sampling in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver (n = 2449). We compared reported sexual partner distributions across cities and periods: before COVID-19 (2017-2019), pandemic (2020-2021), and after lifting of restrictions (2021-2023). We used Bayesian regression and poststratification to model partner distributions. We estimated mpox's basic reproduction number (R0) using a risk-stratified compartmental model. RESULTS Pre-COVID-19 pandemic distributions were comparable: fitted average partners (past 6 months) were 10.4 (95% credible interval: 9.4-11.5) in Montréal, 13.1 (11.3-15.1) in Toronto, and 10.7 (9.5-12.1) in Vancouver. Sexual activity decreased during the pandemic and increased after lifting of restrictions, but remained below prepandemic levels. Based on reported cases, we estimated R0 of 2.4 to 2.7 and similar cumulative incidences (0.7%-0.9%) across cities. CONCLUSIONS Similar sexual partner distributions may explain comparable R0 and cumulative incidence across cities. With potential for further recovery in sexual activity, mpox vaccination and surveillance strategies should be maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanyu Xiu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Joseph Cox
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Direction régionale de santé publique, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Milada Dvorakova
- Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jesse Knight
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linwei Wang
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Canada
| | - Oliver Gatalo
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Canada
| | - Evan Campbell
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Terri Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hind Sbihi
- Data and Analytic Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael A Irvine
- Data and Analytic Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Marbaniang I, Moodie EEM, Latimer E, Skakoon-Sparling S, Hart TA, Grace D, Moore DM, Lachowsky NJ, Jollimore J, Lambert G, Zhang T, Dvorakova M, Cox J. Using an intersectionality-based approach to evaluate mental health services use among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2024; 33:e10. [PMID: 38438301 PMCID: PMC10940056 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796024000143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS To cope with homonegativity-generated stress, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) use more mental health services (MHS) compared with heterosexual men. Most previous research on MHS among GBM uses data from largely white HIV-negative samples. Using an intersectionality-based approach, we evaluated the concomitant impact of racialization and HIV stigma on MHS use among GBM, through the mediating role of perceived discrimination (PD). METHODS We used baseline data from 2371 GBM enrolled in the Engage cohort study, collected between 2017 and 2019, in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, using respondent-driven sampling. The exposure was GBM groups: Group 1 (n = 1376): white HIV-negative; Group 2 (n = 327): white living with HIV; Group 3 (n = 577): racialized as non-white HIV-negative; Group 4 (n = 91): racialized as non-white living with HIV. The mediator was interpersonal PD scores measured using the Everyday Discrimination Scale (5-item version). The outcome was MHS use (yes/no) in the prior 6 months. We fit a three-way decomposition of causal mediation effects utilizing the imputation method for natural effect models. We obtained odds ratios (ORs) for pure direct effect (PDE, unmediated effect), pure indirect effect (PIE, mediated effect), mediated interaction effect (MIE, effect due to interaction between the exposure and mediator) and total effect (TE, overall effect). Analyses controlled for age, chronic mental health condition, Canadian citizenship, being cisgender and city of enrolment. RESULTS Mean PD scores were highest for racialized HIV-negative GBM (10.3, SD: 5.0) and lowest for white HIV-negative GBM (8.4, SD: 3.9). MHS use was highest in white GBM living with HIV (GBMHIV) (40.4%) and lowest in racialized HIV-negative GBM (26.9%). Compared with white HIV-negative GBM, white GBMHIV had higher TE (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.27, 2.29) and PDE (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.27, 2.24), and racialized HIV-negative GBM had higher PIE (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.17). Effects for racialized GBMHIV did not significantly differ from those of white HIV-negative GBM. MIEs across all groups were comparable. CONCLUSIONS Higher MHS use was observed among white GBMHIV compared with white HIV-negative GBM. PD positively mediated MHS use only among racialized HIV-negative GBM. MHS may need to take into account the intersecting impact of homonegativity, racism and HIV stigma on the mental health of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Marbaniang
- Department of Epidemiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Erica E. M. Moodie
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Latimer
- Mental Health and Society Division, Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor A. Hart
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David M. Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nathan J. Lachowsky
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | - Gilles Lambert
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Terri Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Milada Dvorakova
- Clinical Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute–McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Clinical Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute–McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Fairbrother N, Socha P, Faaborg-Andersen M, Noor SW, Hart TA. Multidimensional Measurement of Attitudes Toward Consensual Non-Monogamy. J Sex Res 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38437686 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2320454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Despite increased interest in consensual non-monogamy (CNM), significant stigma remains against CNM. Consequently, there is a need for scales to assess attitudes toward CNM. In response to this need we developed the Multidimensional Attitudes toward CNM Scale (MACS). Items were developed in consultation with content experts and data were collected from two samples at two different Canadian Universities. Fit indices of exploratory (Sample A) and confirmatory (Sample B) factor analysis suggested a 16-item scale with three underlying factors: CNM is Dysfunctional, CNM is Immoral, and CNM is Healthy and Satisfying. Validity analyses, conducted using the combined sample (n = 806; 79% women; 67% heterosexual), demonstrated that participants with higher MACS total scores (i.e. more negative attitudes) were less likely to have ever been involved in a CNM relationship and were more likely to report monogamy as their ideal relationship style. Higher MACS scores were also associated with more negative attitudes toward bisexuality and toward women, and higher scores on measures of homophobia and jealousy. In contrast, individuals with higher scores on the CNM is Healthy subscale tended to score higher on measures of empathy. The MACS demonstrates strong psychometric properties and can assist in better understanding attitudes toward CNM relationships in research and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Skakoon-Sparling
- Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Psychology, University of Guelph
| | | | - P Socha
- Psychiatry, University of British Columbia
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | | | - S W Noor
- Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Kinesiology & Health Science, Louisiana State University Shreveport
| | - T A Hart
- Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
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4
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Hart TA, Noor SW, Tavangar F, Zahran A, Skakoon-Sparling S, Tan DHS, Lambert G, Grace D, Lachowsky N, Sang JM, Palma PA, Zhang T, Dvorakova M, Cox J, Moore DM. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Treatment Attitudes and Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Gay and Bisexual Men. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:178-185. [PMID: 38412464 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Positive attitudes toward human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, such as reduced concern about HIV transmissibility, are associated with sexual behaviors that may increase the risk of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). We examined associations between HIV treatment attitudes and bacterial STI diagnoses among GBM in Canada's three largest cities. METHODS We fit a structural equation model between HIV treatment attitudes and bacterial STI diagnoses via sexual behaviors in the Engage study's baseline data. We estimated direct and indirect paths between scores on HIV treatment attitudes and STIs via number of male anal sex partners, condomless anal sex, and oral sex. We conducted sub-analyses with participants stratified by HIV serostatus. RESULTS Among 2449 GBM recruited in 2017 to 2019, there was a direct association between HIV treatment attitudes and current STI diagnoses (β = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.07-0.19; P < 0.001). The mediated model revealed a positive total indirect effect through 2 pathways: (1) engaging in condomless anal sex and (2) number of male anal sex partners and condomless anal sex. These 2 indirect pathways remained in the stratified mediation models for both HIV negative GBM and for GBM living with HIV. CONCLUSIONS The association between HIV treatment attitudes and diagnosed STIs is mediated through a higher number of male anal sex partners and condomless anal sex. The results highlight the importance of providers educating patients when providing effective STI counseling, testing, and prevention for GBM about how accurate HIV treatment attitudes may inadvertently be associated with the bacterial STI epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Adhm Zahran
- From the Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jordan M Sang
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paolo A Palma
- From the Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Terri Zhang
- From the Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Milada Dvorakova
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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5
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Zahran A, Dermody SS, Berlin GW, Palma PA, Skakoon-Sparling S, Noor SW, Lachowsky NJ, Grace D, Cox J, Moore DM, Lambert G, Zhang TH, Dvorakova M, Jollimore J, Lal A, Hart TA. Problematic alcohol use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada: the role of proximal stressors and anxiety. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2024; 19:16. [PMID: 38414042 PMCID: PMC10900570 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-024-00597-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) report high rates of problematic alcohol use, anxiety, and depression. This may, in part, be due to stressors related to their sexual identity (i.e., minority stressors). However, few studies have examined both distal and proximal stressors, as well as the specific psychological mechanisms by which these stressors may be related to alcohol use outcomes, in a representative sample of GBM. We explored the relationship between distal and proximal stressors and alcohol use outcomes, as well as the role of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of these relationships. METHODS We analyzed the baseline data of 2,449 GBM from Engage, a cohort study of sexually active GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver from February 2017 to August 2019. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the associations between distal minority stressors (i.e., experiences of heterosexist harassment, rejection, and discrimination), proximal minority stressors (i.e., internalized homonegativity, concerns about acceptance, concealment, and lack of affirmation), anxiety and depression, and alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. RDS-adjusted analyses controlled for age, income, sexual orientation, ethnicity, recruitment city, and HIV serostatus. RESULTS There were positive direct associations between distal stress and proximal stress, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use outcomes. Proximal stress had a positive direct association with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use problems, but not alcohol consumption. Anxiety was positively associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. Depression was negatively associated with alcohol consumption but not alcohol use problems. Regarding indirect effects, distal stress was associated with alcohol use outcomes via proximal stress and anxiety, but not via depression. CONCLUSIONS We found support for a minority stress model as it relates to alcohol use outcomes among GBM. Findings suggest that proximal minority stress and anxiety differentially impact the problematic alcohol use among GBM who experience heterosexist discrimination. Clinical providers should consider incorporating the treatment of proximal minority stressors and anxiety into existing alcohol interventions for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adhm Zahran
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | - Syed W Noor
- Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Joseph Cox
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Direction Régionale de Santé Publique - Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - David M Moore
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Direction Régionale de Santé Publique - Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Milada Dvorakova
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jody Jollimore
- Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE), Toronto, Canada
| | - Allan Lal
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Daroya E, Grey C, Klassen B, Lessard D, Skakoon-Sparling S, Perez-Brumer A, Adam B, Cox J, Lachowsky NJ, Hart TA, Gervais J, Tan DHS, Grace D. 'It's not as good as the face-to-face contact': A sociomaterialist analysis of the use of virtual care among Canadian gay, bisexual and queer men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociol Health Illn 2024; 46:19-38. [PMID: 37323054 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread adoption of virtual care-the use of communication technologies to receive health care at home. We explored the differential impacts of the rapid transition to virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic on health-care access and delivery for gay, bisexual and queer men (GBQM), a population that disproportionately experiences sexual and mental health disparities in Canada. Adopting a sociomaterial theoretical perspective, we analysed 93 semi-structured interviews with GBQM (n = 93) in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, conducted between November 2020 and February 2021 (n = 42) and June-October 2021 (n = 51). We focused on explicating how the dynamic relations of humans and non-humans in everyday virtual care practices have opened or foreclosed different care capacities for GBQM. Our analysis revealed that the rapid expansion and implementation of virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic enacted disruptions and challenges while providing benefits to health-care access among some GBQM. Further, virtual care required participants to change their sociomaterial practices to receive health care effectively, including learning new ways of communicating with providers. Our sociomaterial analysis provides a framework that helps identify what works and what needs to be improved when delivering virtual care to meet the health needs of GBQM and other diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerich Daroya
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cornel Grey
- Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ben Klassen
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David Lessard
- Centre for Health Outcome Research, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Amaya Perez-Brumer
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Barry Adam
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Service Prévention et contrôle des maladies infectieuses, Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessie Gervais
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darrell H S Tan
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Yuen AWH, Sang JM, Wang L, Barath J, Lachowsky NJ, Lal A, Elefante J, Hart TA, Skakoon-Sparling S, Grey C, Grace D, Cox J, Lambert G, Noor SW, Apelian H, Parlette A, Card KG, Hull MW, Jollimore J, Moore DM. Attitudes of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (GBM) toward Their Use of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and Relation to Reducing Use in Three Canadian Cities. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 59:278-290. [PMID: 37867395 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2269577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We explored attitudes of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) toward their amphetamine-use and associations with reduced use over time. METHODS We recruited sexually-active GBM aged 16+ years in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada, from 02-2017 to 08-2019, with follow-up visits every 6-12 months until November 2020. Among participants who reported past-six-month (P6M) amphetamine-use at enrollment, we used logistic regression to identify demographic, psychological, social, mental health, other substance-use, and behavioral factors associated with reporting needing help reducing their substance-use. We used mixed-effects logistic regression to model reduced P6M amphetamine-use with perceived problematic-use as our primary explanatory variable. RESULTS We enrolled 2,449 GBM across sites. 15.5-24.7% reported P6M amphetamine-use at enrollment and 82.6 - 85.7% reported needing no help or only a little help in reducing their substance use. Reporting needing a lot/of help or completely needing help in reducing substance-use was associated with group sex participation (AOR = 2.35, 95%CI:1.25-4.44), greater anxiety symptomatology (AOR = 2.11, 95%CI:1.16-3.83), greater financial strain (AOR = 1.35, 95%CI:1.21-1.50), and greater Escape Motive scores (AOR = 1.07, 95%CI:1.03-1.10). Reductions in P6M amphetamine-use were less likely among GBM who perceived their amphetamine-use as problematic (AOR = 0.17 95% CI 0.10 - 0.29). CONCLUSIONS Most amphetamine-using GBM did not feel they needed help reducing their substance use, and many reported reduced amphetamine-use at subsequent visits. Those who perceived their use as problematic were less likely to reduce their use. Further interventions to assist GBM in reducing their use are needed to assist those who perceive their use as problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan M Sang
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Justin Barath
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Allan Lal
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Trevor A Hart
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Cox
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Syed W Noor
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Herak Apelian
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Kiffer G Card
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Mark W Hull
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - David M Moore
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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8
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Sang JM, Moore DM, Wang L, Chia J, Toy J, Montaner J, Skakoon-Sparling S, Cox J, Lambert G, Grace D, Hart TA, Lal A, Jollimore J, Lachowsky NJ. Examining the secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on syndemic production and PrEP use among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Vancouver, Canada. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2124. [PMID: 37904163 PMCID: PMC10614320 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17049-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may disproportionately affect gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM), particularly related to HIV prevention and treatment outcomes. We applied syndemic theory to examine PrEP disruptions during the during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Sexually-active GBM, aged 16 + years, were enrolled through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) from February 2017 to August 2019. Participants completed a Computer-Assisted Self-Interview every six months and data were linked to the BC PrEP Program (program responsible for publicly funded PrEP in the province) to directly measure PrEP disruptions. The analysis period for this study was from March 2018-April 2021. We used univariable generalized linear mixed models to examine (1) six-month trends for syndemic conditions: the prevalence of moderate/severe depressive or anxiety symptoms, polysubstance use, harmful alcohol consumption, intimate partner violence, and (2) six-month trends for PrEP interruptions among HIV-negative/unknown GBM. We also applied 3-level mixed-effects logistic regression with RDS clustering to examine whether syndemic factors were associated with PrEP interruptions. RESULTS Our study included 766 participants, with 593 participants who had at least one follow-up visit. The proportion of respondents with abnormal depressive symptoms increased over the study period (OR = 1.35; 95%CI = 1.17, 1.56), but we found decreased prevalence for polysubstance use (OR = 0.89; 95%CI = 0.82, 0.97) and binge drinking (OR = 0.74; 95%CI = 0.67, 0.81). We also found an increase in PrEP interruptions (OR = 2.33; 95%CI = 1.85, 2.94). GBM with moderate/severe depressive symptoms had higher odds (aOR = 4.80; 95%CI = 1.43, 16.16) of PrEP interruptions, while GBM with experiences of IPV had lower odds (aOR = 0.38; 95%CI = 0.15, 0.95) of PrEP interruptions. GBM who met clinical eligibility for PrEP had lower odds of experiencing PrEP interruptions (aOR = 0.25; 95%CI = 0.11, 0.60). CONCLUSION There were increasing PrEP interruptions since March 2020. However, those most at risk for HIV were less likely to have interruptions. Additional mental health services and targeted follow-up for PrEP continuation may help to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Sang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.
- BC Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jason Chia
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Junine Toy
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Julio Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Joseph Cox
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
- Direction régionale de santé publique -Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud, Montreal, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Direction régionale de santé publique -Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud, Montreal, Canada
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | - Trevor A Hart
- Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Toronto, Canada
| | - Allan Lal
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- Community Based Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
- University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
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9
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Kirschbaum AL, Metheny N, Skakoon-Sparling S, Grace D, Yakubovich AR, Cox J, Palachi A, Sang JM, O'Campo P, Tan DHS, Hart TA. Syndemic Factors and Lifetime Bidirectional Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Sexual Minority Men. LGBT Health 2023; 10:S89-S97. [PMID: 37754925 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Bidirectional intimate partner violence (IPV), the reporting of both IPV victimization and perpetration, is likely the most common form of violence among gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (GBM) and is thought to be part of a larger syndemic of stressors. This purpose of this study was to examine associations between syndemic factors and lifetime bidirectional IPV among GBM in three Canadian cities to inform future interventions. Methods: Data from GBM (N = 2449) were used to fit three logistic regression models with lifetime bidirectional IPV as the outcome and four syndemic factors (i.e., depressive symptomatology, childhood sexual abuse [CSA], illegal drug use, and alcohol misuse) as independent variables. Model 1 examined syndemic factors individually. Model 2 employed a summative scale of syndemic exposure. Model 3 used marginal analysis to examine the relative excess risk of each potential iteration of the syndemic. Results: Thirty-one percent (N = 762) of respondents reported lifetime bidirectional IPV. Each of the syndemic factors were significantly associated with greater odds of reporting bidirectional IPV (Model 1). Model 2 exhibited a dose-response relationship between the number of syndemic factors reported and bidirectional IPV. Model 3 suggested that the specific combination of depressive symptomatology, CSA, and alcohol misuse resulted in the highest risk of lifetime bidirectional IPV. Conclusion: Bidirectional IPV was common in this sample and was associated with a complex interplay of stressors. However, there may be opportunities to target interventions to the specific syndemic issues in an effort to prevent and mitigate this form of IPV in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas Metheny
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | | | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alexa R Yakubovich
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Iîle-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Aaron Palachi
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jordan M Sang
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Patricia O'Campo
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Darrell H S Tan
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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10
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Daroya E, Grey C, Lessard D, Klassen B, Skakoon-Sparling S, Gaspar M, Perez-Brumer A, Adam B, Lachowsky NJ, Moore D, Sang JM, Lambert G, Hart TA, Cox J, Jollimore J, Tan DHS, Grace D. 'I did not have sex outside of our bubble': changes in sexual practices and risk reduction strategies among sexual minority men in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cult Health Sex 2023; 25:1147-1163. [PMID: 36336339 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2139414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, jurisdictions across the globe, including Canada, enacted containment measures that affected intimacy and sexual relations. This article examines how public health measures during COVID-19 impacted the sexual practices of sexual minority men- gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men-and how they adopted and modified guidelines to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We conducted 93 semi-structured interviews with men (n = 93) in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, between November 2020 to February 2021 (n = 42) and June to October 2021 (n = 51). Across jurisdictions, participants reported changes to sexual practices in response to public health measures and shifting pandemic contexts. Many men indicated that they applied their HIV/STI risk mitigation experiences and adapted COVID-19 prevention strategies to continue engaging in casual sexual behaviours and ensure sexual safety. 'Social bubbles' were changed to 'sex bubbles'. Masks were turned into 'safer' sex tools. 'Outdoor gathering' and 'physical distancing' were transformed into 'outdoor sex' and 'voyeuristic masturbation'. These strategies are examined in connection to the notion of 'reflexive mediation' to illustrate how sexual minority men are simultaneously self-responsibilising and resistant, self-monitoring and creative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerich Daroya
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cornel Grey
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - David Lessard
- Centre for Health Outcome Research, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ben Klassen
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Mark Gaspar
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amaya Perez-Brumer
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Barry Adam
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - David Moore
- BC Centre for Excellence, HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jordan M Sang
- BC Centre for Excellence, HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Service Prévention et contrôle des maladies infectieuses, Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Service Prévention et contrôle des maladies infectieuses, Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Darrell H S Tan
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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11
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Grey C, Tian IL, Skakoon-Sparling S, Daroya E, Klassen B, Lessard D, Gaspar M, Sinno J, Sang JM, Perez-Brumer A, Lachowsky NJ, Moore DM, Jollimore J, Hart TA, Cox J, Grace D. Unpacking racism during COVID-19: narratives from racialized Canadian gay, bisexual, and queer men. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:152. [PMID: 37553689 PMCID: PMC10410892 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-01961-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epidemics impact individuals unevenly across race, gender, and sexuality. In addition to being more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, evidence suggests racialized gender and sexual minorities experienced disproportionate levels of discrimination and stigma during the COVID-19 epidemic. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT), we examined the experiences of gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (GBQM) of colour facing discrimination during COVID-19. DESIGN Engage-COVID-19 is a mixed methods study examining the impact of COVID-19 on GBQM living in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal, Canada. We conducted two rounds of qualitative interviews (November 2020 to February 2021, and June to October 2021) with 93 GBQM to explore the evolving impact of COVID-19 on their lives. Transcripts were coded using inductive thematic analysis. Data analysis was conducted using Nvivo software. RESULTS Fifty-nine participants identified as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Colour (BIPOC). These GBQM of colour described multiple experiences of discrimination during COVID-19. Although participants did not report experiences of discrimination based on their sexual identity during COVID-19, we found that experiences of racism affected how they were treated within their sexual networks. Experiences of racism were most often reported by East Asian and Black GBQM. These participants faced racism in public and online spaces, primarily in the form of verbal harassment. Several participants were also harassed because they wore face masks. Verbal abuse against GBQM of colour was largely prompted by racist discourses related to COVID-19. CONCLUSION Racism remains a pernicious threat to the well-being of GBQM of colour. CRT highlights the importance of assessing how sexualized and gendered discourses about race shape the experiences of GBQM of colour navigating multiple epidemics like COVID-19 and HIV. These pervasive discourses unevenly affect racial and sexual minorities across multiple epidemics, and negatively impact health outcomes for these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornel Grey
- Western University, London, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Ben Klassen
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | | | - Jad Sinno
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | | | - David M Moore
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jody Jollimore
- Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE), Toronto, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Canada
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12
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Sang JM, Gholamian B, Wang L, Barath J, Noor SW, Lachowsky NJ, Hart TA, Cox J, Lambert G, Grace D, Skakoon-Sparling S, Lal A, Parlette A, Apelian H, Jollimore J, Hogg RS, Moore DM. Examining differential success in recruitment using respondent driven sampling (RDS) in a multi-site study of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:136. [PMID: 37296373 PMCID: PMC10251682 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-01886-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Engage Study is a longitudinal biobehavioral cohort study of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Baseline data (2,449 participants) were collected from February 2017 - August 2019 using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Recruitment in Montreal required fewer seeds, had a much shorter recruitment period, and recruited the largest sample. METHODS To better understand why RDS recruitment was more successful in Montreal compared to other sites, we conducted an analysis to examine RDS recruitment characteristics for GBM in each of the three study sites, explore demographic characteristics and measures of homophily, that is, the tendency of individuals to recruit other study participants who are like themselves, and compared motivations for study participation. RESULTS Montreal had the greatest proportion of participants over the age of 45 (29.1% in Montreal, 24.6% in Vancouver, and 21.0% in Toronto) and the highest homophily for this age group, but homophily was high across the three cities. Montreal also reported the lowest percentage of participants with an annual income greater or equal to $60,000 (7.9% in Montreal, 13.1% in Vancouver and 10.6% in Toronto), but homophily was similar across all three cities. The majority of participants indicated interest in sexual health and HIV as the main reason for participating (36.1% in Montreal, 34.7% in Vancouver, and 29.8% in Toronto). Financial interest as the main reason for participation was low (12.7% in Montreal, 10.6% in Vancouver, and 5.7% in Toronto). CONCLUSION Taken together, although we found some differences in study demographic characteristics and homophily scores, we were unable to fully explain the different recruitment success based on the data available. Our study underlines the fact that success of RDS implementation may vary by unknown factors, and that researchers should be proactive and flexible to account for variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Sang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | | | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Justin Barath
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Syed W Noor
- Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of Human Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, USA
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Community Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Direction régionale de santé publique -Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Direction régionale de santé publique -Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Allan Lal
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Herak Apelian
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Direction régionale de santé publique -Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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13
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Card KG, Novick JR, Berlin GW, Lachowsky NJ, Adam B, Brennan DJ, Sang JM, Noor SW, Cox J, Moore DM, Grace D, Grey C, Daroya E, Hart TA. The relevance of communal altruism for sexual minority men in contemporary contexts. J Community Psychol 2023; 51:1461-1478. [PMID: 35932490 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
There are many reasons why individuals engage in prosocial behavior; communal sexual altruism is based on the notion that some practice safer sex in the interest of promoting the well-being of their community/in-group. Given that definitions of what constitutes "safer sex" have changed with advances in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, we investigated the importance of communal sexual altruism (herein "altruism") among urban gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (GBM) in the contemporary context. Using a sample of 2449 GBM we examined the association of both safer-sex-related attitudes (e.g., HIV treatment optimism-skepticism) and behaviors (e.g., condomless anal sex [CAS]) with altruism scores. Higher altruism scores were associated with a lower likelihood of CAS and a greater frequency of discussing HIV status with new partners. These findings demonstrate that many GBM are motivated to engage in several kinds of behaviors that improve the well-being of their in-group (i.e., the GBM community).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kiffer G Card
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jake R Novick
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham W Berlin
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Barry Adam
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - David J Brennan
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan M Sang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Syed W Noor
- Department of Kinesiology & Health Science, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Joseph Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cornel Grey
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emerich Daroya
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Sang JM, Wang L, Moore DM, Barath J, Lal A, Hart TA, Skakoon-Sparling S, Noor SW, Chown S, Lambert G, Cox J, Jollimore J, Parlette A, Apelian H, Grace D, Lachowsky NJ. Examining Associations Between Resilience and PrEP Use Among HIV-negative GBM in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. AIDS Behav 2023. [PMID: 36867322 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04031-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the association between resilience and PrEP use among a population-based sample of Canadian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). Sexually active GBM aged ≥ 16 years old were recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver from 02/2017 to 07/2019. We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis of HIV-negative/unknown GBM who met clinical eligibility for PrEP. We performed multivariable RDS-II-weighted logistic regression to assess the association between scores on the Connor-Davidson Resilience-2 Scale and PrEP. Mediation analyses with weighted logistic and linear regression were used to assess whether the relationship between minority stressors and PrEP use was mediated by resilience. Of 1167 PrEP-eligible GBM, 317 (27%) indicated they took PrEP in the past six months. Our multivariable model found higher resilience scores were associated with greater odds of PrEP use in the past six months (aOR = 1.13, 95%CI = 1.00, 1.28). We found that resilience reduced the effect of the association between heterosexist discrimination and PrEP use. Resilience also mediated the relationship between internalized homonegativity and PrEP use and mediated the effect of the association between LGBI acceptance concern and PrEP use. Overall, PrEP-eligible GBM with higher resilience scores had a greater odds of PrEP use in the past six months. We also found mixed results for the mediating role of resilience between minority stress and PrEP use. These findings underline the continued importance of strength-based factors in HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Sang
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Justin Barath
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Allan Lal
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Syed W Noor
- School of Human Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Sarah Chown
- Engage Community-Advisory Committee, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Direction régionale de santé publique -Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de- Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Direction régionale de santé publique -Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de- Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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15
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Card KG, Skakoon-Sparling S. Are social support, loneliness, and social connection differentially associated with happiness across levels of introversion-extraversion? Health Psychol Open 2023; 10:20551029231184034. [PMID: 37426942 PMCID: PMC10328046 DOI: 10.1177/20551029231184034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examines whether extraversion moderates the association between subjective happiness and measures of social connectedness using data from Canadian residents, aged 16+, recruited online during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (21 April 2021-1 June 2021). To accomplish this aim we tested the moderating effect of extraversion scores on the association between Subjective Happiness scores and several social health measures: Perceived Social Support, Loneliness, social network size, and time with friends. Among 949 participants, results show that lower social loneliness (p < .001) and higher social support from friends (p = .001) and from family (p = .007) was more strongly correlated with subjective happiness for people with low extraversion compared to those with high extroversion. Anti-loneliness interventions should consider the need to promote social connections among individuals across the introversion-extraversion continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiffer G Card
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- The Institute for Social Connection, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- The Institute for Social Connection, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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16
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Hart TA, Noor SW, Tavangar F, Berlin GW, Skakoon-Sparling S, Tan DHS, Lambert G, Grace D, Jollimore J, Sang JM, Kirschbaum AL, Kanji R, Apelian H, Cox J, Moore DM, Lachowsky N. Crystal methamphetamine use and bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men in Canada. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 242:109718. [PMID: 36516548 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While crystal methamphetamine use by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) is associated with increased risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission, less is understood about the causal pathways between crystal methamphetamine use and STIs. We examined whether the association between greater crystal methamphetamine risk and prevalent bacterial STI diagnosis among GBM was mediated by two types of attitudinal variables: attitudes toward condoms, and sexual escape motives, defined as the use of substances to escape self-awareness during sex, and by sexual behaviors. METHODS We used computer-assisted self-interview questionnaires from 2449 sexually active GBM (18% living with HIV; median age = 33, interquartile range, 27-45) recruited via respondent-driven sampling in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, Canada. Using the baseline data from the Engage cohort study, we fit a series of structural mediation models of the associations between greater crystal methamphetamine risk and bacterial STI (syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia) diagnosis. We estimated indirect paths from greater crystal methamphetamine risk, attitudes toward condoms, sexual escape motives, and sexual risk behaviors, adjusting for self-reported demographic variables. RESULTS In the mediated model, the direct association between greater crystal methamphetamine risk and bacterial STI diagnosis was non-significant; however, five indirect paths were significant. Greater crystal methamphetamine risk was associated with bacterial STIs via condom use attitudes and escape motives, which in turn were associated with number of male anal sex partners, condomless anal sex, and oral sex. DISCUSSION Public health and counselling interventions for GBM who use crystal methamphetamine and who are at higher risk for STIs should target evidence-based causal paths that consider sexual attitudes and sexual practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor A Hart
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Syed W Noor
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada; Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Farideh Tavangar
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Canada
| | | | | | - Darrell H S Tan
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Canada; Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada; Direction régionale de santé publique - Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jody Jollimore
- Community-Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jordan M Sang
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Rahim Kanji
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Joseph Cox
- Direction régionale de santé publique - Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David M Moore
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nathan Lachowsky
- University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Victoria, BC, Canada
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17
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Lambert G, Cox J, Fourmigue A, Dvorakova M, Apelian H, Moodie EEM, Grace D, Skakoon-Sparling S, Moore DM, Lachowsky N, Jollimore J, Lal A, Parlette A, Hart TA. HIV incidence and related risks among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver: Informing blood donor selection criteria in Canada. Transfusion 2022; 62:2555-2567. [PMID: 36197064 PMCID: PMC10092181 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An individualized behavior-based selection approach has potential to allow for a more equitable blood donor eligibility process. We collected biological and behavioral data from urban gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) to inform the use of this approach in Canada. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Engage is a closed prospective cohort of sexually active GBM, aged 16+ years, recruited via respondent-driven-sampling (RDS) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada. Participants completed a questionnaire on behaviors (past 6 months) and tested for HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections at each visit. Rate ratios for HIV infection and predictive values for blood donation eligibility criteria were estimated by RDS-adjusted Poisson regression. RESULTS Data on 2008 (study visits 2017-02 to 2021-08) HIV-negative participants were used. The HIV incidence rate for the three cities was 0.4|100 person-years [95%CI:0.3, 0.6]. HIV seroconversion was associated with age <30 years: adjusted rate ratio (aRR) 9.1 [95%CI:3.2, 26.2], 6-10 and >10 anal sex partners versus 1-6 aRR: 5.3 [2.1,13.5] and 8.4 [3.4, 20.9], and use of crystal methamphetamine during sex: 4.2 [1.5, 11.6]. Applying the combined selection criteria: drug injection, ≥2 anal sex partners, and a new anal sex partner, detected all participants who seroconverted (100% sensitivity, 100% negative predictive value), and would defer 63% of study participants from donating. CONCLUSION Using three screening questions regarding drug injection and sexual behaviors in the past 6 months would correctly identify potential GBM donors at high risk of having recently contracted HIV. Doing so would reduce the proportion of deferred sexually active GBM by one-third.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Lambert
- Direction Régionale de Santé Publique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Direction Régionale de Santé Publique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alain Fourmigue
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Milada Dvorakova
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Herak Apelian
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Erica E M Moodie
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nathan Lachowsky
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jody Jollimore
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Allan Lal
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Abbie Parlette
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Bodner A, Ruhl L, Barr E, Shridhar A, Skakoon-Sparling S, Card KG. The Impact of Working from Home on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study of Canadian Worker's Mental Health during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:11588. [PMID: 36141855 PMCID: PMC9517068 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a considerable expansion in the way work settings are structured, with a continuum emerging between working fully in-person and from home. The pandemic has also exacerbated many risk factors for poor mental health in the workplace, especially in public-facing jobs. Therefore, we sought to test the potential relationship between work setting and self-rated mental health. To do so, we modeled the association of work setting (only working from home, only in-person, hybrid) on self-rated mental health (Excellent/Very Good/Good vs. Fair/Poor) in an online survey of Canadian workers during the third wave of COVID-19. The mediating effects of vaccination, masking, and distancing were explored due to the potential effect of COVID-19-related stress on mental health among those working in-person. Among 1576 workers, most reported hybrid work (77.2%). Most also reported good self-rated mental health (80.7%). Exclusive work from home (aOR: 2.79, 95%CI: 1.90, 4.07) and exclusive in-person work (aOR: 2.79, 95%CI: 1.83, 4.26) were associated with poorer self-rated mental health than hybrid work. Vaccine status mediated only a small proportion of this relationship (7%), while masking and physical distancing were not mediators. We conclude that hybrid work arrangements were associated with positive self-rated mental health. Compliance with vaccination, masking, and distancing recommendations did not meaningfully mediate this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan Bodner
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Leo Ruhl
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Emily Barr
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Arti Shridhar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson), Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Kiffer George Card
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- Institute for Social Connection, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
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19
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Hart TA, Noor SW, Berlin GW, Skakoon-Sparling S, Tavangar F, Tan D, Lambert G, Grace D, Lachowsky NJ, Jollimore J, Sang J, Parlette A, Lal A, Apelian H, Moore D, Cox J. Pre-exposure prophylaxis and bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among gay and bisexual men. Sex Transm Infect 2022; 99:167-172. [PMID: 35701145 PMCID: PMC10176373 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-055381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV acquisition among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM), PrEP-using GBM may be more likely to engage in sexual behaviours associated with bacterial STIs. We examined associations between PrEP use, condomless anal sex (CAS), number of anal sex partners, oral sex and bacterial STI diagnoses among GBM living in Canada's three largest cities. METHODS Among HIV-negative/unknown-status GBM in the baseline of the Engage cohort study, we fit a structural equation model of the associations between any PrEP use, sexual behaviours and bacterial STI diagnosis. We estimated direct and indirect paths between PrEP use and STI via CAS, number of anal sex partners and oral sex. RESULTS The sample included 2007 HIV-negative/unknown status GBM in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. There was a significant direct association between PrEP use and current STI diagnosis (β=0.181; 95% CI: 0.112 to 0.247; p<0.001), CAS (β=0.275; 95% CI: 0.189 to 0.361; p<0.001) and number of anal sex partners (β=0.193; 95% CI: 0.161 to 0.225; p<0.001). In the mediated model, the direct association between PrEP use and STIs was non-significant. However, the indirect paths from PrEP to CAS to STIs (β=0.064; 95% CI: 0.025 to 0.120; p=0.008), and from PrEP to greater number of anal sex partners to CAS to STIs were significant (β=0.059; 95% CI: 0.024 to 0.108; p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS Our study adds to the growing awareness that PrEP use among GBM may be associated with bacterial STIs because PrEP users have more anal sex partners and are more likely to engage in CAS. The results underscore the importance of providing effective STI counselling and regular testing to PrEP users, adapting PrEP care and related STI testing to individual needs, and the need for effective prevention strategies for bacterial STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor A Hart
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Syed W Noor
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Graham W Berlin
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Farideh Tavangar
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darrell Tan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Direction Régionale de Santé Publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Direction des Risques Biologiques et de la Santé au Travail, Institut national de santé publique du Québec Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan John Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Community Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jody Jollimore
- Community Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jordan Sang
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Abbie Parlette
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allan Lal
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Herak Apelian
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David Moore
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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20
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Cox J, Lachowsky NJ, Kirshbaum AL, Berlin GW, Gaspar M, Adam BD, Brennan DJ, Moore DM, Apelian H, Sang JM, Jollimore J, Grace D, Grey C, Hart TA. Minority stressors and connectedness among urban gay, bisexual, and queer men. Psychology of Men & Masculinities 2022. [DOI: 10.1037/men0000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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21
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Card KG, Bodner A, Li R, Lail S, Aran N, Grewal A, Skakoon-Sparling S. Loneliness and social support as key contributors to burnout among Canadians workers in the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. J Occup Health 2022; 64:e12360. [PMID: 36111392 PMCID: PMC9478518 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective COVID‐19 has dramatically affected Western Society's relationship with work and contributed to increased worker burnout. Existing studies on burnout have mostly emphasized workplace culture, leadership, and employee engagement as key contributors to burnout. In this cross‐sectional study, we examine the associations between Malach‐Pines Short Burnout Measure (MPSBM) scores and participant's self reported personal characteristics, financial strain, workplace conditions, work‐life balance, and social inclusion among Canadians living during the third wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods To identify the most salient correlates of burnout, Canadian residents, aged 16+, were recruited using paid social media advertisements in French and English to complete a cross‐sectional study. Multivariable linear regression and dominance analysis identified the most salient correlates of MPSBM scores. Exposure variables included demographic factors, financial strain, workplace conditions, work‐life balance, social support, and loneliness. Results Among 486 participants, family social support (adjusted β = −0.14, 95%CI = −0.23, −0.05), emotional loneliness (adjusted β = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.35), insufficient sleep (adjusted β = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.60) and “me time” (adjusted β = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.42), and indicators of financial security (e.g., owning vs renting; adjusted β = −0.36, 95% CI = −0.54, −0.17; insufficient pay: adjusted β = −0.36, 95% CI = −0.54, −0.17) were key burnout indicators. People with a bachelor's degree (vs ≤high school diploma; adjusted β = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.58) also had higher burnout scores. Conclusion Interventions addressing workplace culture, leadership, and other proximal workplace stressors, while important, are likely insufficient to meet the needs of workers. Our findings suggest that broader, holistic multicomponent approaches that address multiple upstream dimensions of health—including mental health—are likely necessary to prevent and reduce burnout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiffer G Card
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.,The Institute for Social Connection, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aidan Bodner
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Richard Li
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Simran Lail
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Niloufar Aran
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Ashmita Grewal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Berlin G, Lachowsky NJ, Moore DM, Lambert G, Cox J, Grace D, Apelian H, Sang JM, Hart TA. Social support and HIV prevention behaviors among urban HIV-negative gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Health Psychol 2021; 41:65-75. [PMID: 34928633 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Supportive social relationships can have direct positive effects on health and mitigate the negative impact of stressors. This study investigated the main effect of perceived social support on STI/HIV risk and prevention behaviors. The buffering effect of perceived social support on the impact of proximal minority stressors, like internalized homonegativity, was also examined on one risk behavior specifically, condomless anal sex (CAS) without HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. METHOD HIV-negative gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) were recruited using respondent driven sampling from three major Canadian urban centers (n = 1,409). GBM completed measures of perceived social support, proximal minority stress, and engagement in STI/HIV risk and prevention behaviors. RESULTS Higher perceived social support was positively associated with a several health behaviors, including recent STI and HIV testing, discussing HIV status with prospective partners, the use of behavioral HIV-risk reduction strategies during sexual encounters, and a lower likelihood of engaging in CAS without PrEP. There was evidence of moderation as well. Among GBM with higher perceived social support, internalized homonegativity was no longer associated with increased odds of engaging in CAS without PrEP. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study advance social support theory to GBM in the context of biomedical prevention, showing both evidence of both direct associations and buffering effects on STI/HIV risk and prevention behaviors. This highlights the importance of promoting social support seeking in interventions aimed at improving GBM health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Joseph Cox
- Direction Regionale de sante Publique de Montreal
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23
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Gaspar M, Skakoon-Sparling S, Adam BD, Brennan DJ, Lachowsky NJ, Cox J, Moore D, Hart TA, Grace D. "You're Gay, It's Just What Happens": Sexual Minority Men Recounting Experiences of Unwanted Sex in the Era of MeToo. J Sex Res 2021; 58:1205-1214. [PMID: 34369847 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.1962236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Our grounded theory analysis derives from in-depth interviews conducted with 24 gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) living in Toronto, Canada, to understand their experiences of sexual coercion. Participants drew on discourse from the #MeToo movement to reconsider the ethics of past sexual experiences. The idea that gay or queer sex is inherently risky and unique from heterosexual relations made negotiating sexual safety challenging. These notions were enforced by homophobic discourses on the one hand, and counter discourses of sexual liberation, resistance to heteronormativity, hegemonic masculinity, and HIV prevention on the other. Biomedical advances in HIV prevention such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and undetectable viral load affected how some participants felt about sexual autonomy and safety. Participants held themselves responsible for needing to be more assertive within sexual encounters to avoid coercion. Many believed that unwanted sex is unavoidable among GBM: if "you're gay, it's just what happens." Targeted education aimed at GBM communities that incorporates insights on GBM sexual subcultures is necessary. This work must be situated within a broader understanding of how gender norms and hegemonic masculinity, racism, HIV status, and other power imbalances affect sexual decision-making, consent, pleasure, and sexual harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Gaspar
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
| | | | - Barry D Adam
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, University of Windsor
| | - David J Brennan
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
| | | | - Joseph Cox
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | - David Moore
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
| | | | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
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24
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Hart TA, Moore DM, Noor SW, Lachowsky N, Grace D, Cox J, Skakoon-Sparling S, Jollimore J, Parlette A, Lal A, Apelian H, Sang JM, Tan DHS, Lambert G. Prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and related preventive and risk behaviours, among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver: results from the Engage Study. Can J Public Health 2021; 112:1020-1029. [PMID: 34142353 PMCID: PMC8210738 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-021-00546-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The last Canadian biobehavioural surveillance study of HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) was conducted in 2010. We designed a study to measure STBBI prevalence among GBM in metropolitan Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver and to document related preventive and risk behaviours. Methods The Engage Cohort Study used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to recruit GBM who reported sex with another man in the past 6 months. At baseline, we examined recruitment characteristics of the samples, and the RDS-II-adjusted distributions of socio-demographics, laboratory-confirmed HIV and other STBBI prevalence, and related behaviours, with a focus on univariate differences among cities. Results A total of 2449 GBM were recruited from February 2017 to August 2019. HIV prevalence was lower in Montreal (14.2%) than in Toronto (22.2%) or Vancouver (20.4%). History of syphilis infection was similar across cities (14–16%). Vancouver had more HIV-negative/unknown participants who reported never being HIV tested (18.6%) than Toronto (12.9%) or Montreal (11.5%). Both Montreal (74.9%) and Vancouver (78.8%) had higher proportions of men who tested for another STBBI in the past 6 months than Toronto (67.4%). Vancouver had a higher proportion of men who used pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the past 6 months (18.9%) than Toronto (11.1%) or Montreal (9.6%). Conclusion The three largest cities of Canada differed in HIV prevalence, STBBI testing and PrEP use among GBM. Our findings also suggest the need for scale-up of both PrEP and STI testing among GBM in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor A Hart
- Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - David M Moore
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Syed W Noor
- Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph Cox
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Direction régionale de santé publique - Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jody Jollimore
- Community-Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Allan Lal
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Jordan M Sang
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Darrell H S Tan
- Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Direction régionale de santé publique - Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montréal, Canada
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25
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Cramer KM. Sexual Risk Taking Intentions Under the Influence of Relationship Motivation, Partner Familiarity, and Sexual Arousal. J Sex Res 2021; 58:659-670. [PMID: 32281398 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2020.1743227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Condom negotiation is typically a dyadic process, influenced by a host of factors that can impact sexual health decision-making. The current paper investigated the influence of sexual arousal, relationship motivation, and partner familiarity on sexual risk taking intentions in women and men. In Study 1, 331 participants were recruited online and responded to items assessing condom use intentions. Participants higher in relationship motivation were more likely to consider perceived partner desire for condom use when considering initiating condom negotiation. In Study 2, 169 undergraduate students participated in a sexual arousal manipulation and responded to scenarios depicting sexual encounters with more or less familiar hypothetical partners. Participants reported greater sexual risk taking intentions with more (vs. less) familiar hypothetical partners. Men (vs. women) showed greater risk taking intentions overall. Higher sexual arousal was associated with increased sexual risk-taking intentions, regardless of gender. With less familiar partners, participants higher in relationship motivation showed somewhat greater concern that insisting on condom use would interfere with the sexual encounter, though concern was greatest among men for both more and less familiar partner types. These findings offer some support for the notion that a stronger orientation toward forming long-term relationships can facilitate sexual risk taking behavior.
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26
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Abstract
The current study examined the roles of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in the context of sexual risk-taking among heterosexual women and men to better understand the link between sexual arousal and sexual risk-taking. We set out to determine which factors in the Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition Inventory for women and men (SESII-W/M) were most predictive of sexual response and sexual risk-taking behavior. Participants (N = 266, women = 166) completed the SESII-W/M instrument and responded to items assessing their sexual risk-taking intentions and their risk-taking indicators. A sub-sample (n = 133, women = 83) also completed a sexual arousal manipulation. Sexual excitation was linked with higher levels of self-reported sexual arousal (among women and men) and greater risk-taking intentions (among women only). However, controlling for gender, sexual inhibition was a better predictor of sexual risk-taking intentions, compared to sexual excitation. The Dual Control Model offers unique insights into conceptualizations of sexual response to erotic stimuli and behavioral risk-taking. These findings can inform more effective interventions to promote risk reduction through sex positive approaches that capitalize on the pleasure enhancing capabilities of safer sex strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R M Milhausen
- Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph
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27
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Cox J, Apelian H, Moodie EEM, Messier-Peet M, Hart TA, Grace D, Moore DM, Lachowsky NJ, Armstrong HL, Jollimore J, Skakoon-Sparling S, Rodrigues R, Tan DHS, Maheu-Giroux M, Noor SW, Lebouché B, Tremblay C, Olarewaju G, Lambert G. Use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among urban Canadian gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional analysis of the Engage cohort study. CMAJ Open 2021; 9:E529-E538. [PMID: 34021010 PMCID: PMC8177951 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20200198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Canada, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Our objective was to describe access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and identify factors associated with not using PrEP among self-reported HIV-negative or HIV-unknown GBM. METHODS This was a cross-sectional analysis of the Engage study cohort. Between 2017 and 2019, sexually active GBM aged 16 years or more in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver were recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participation included testing for HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and completion of a questionnaire. We examined PrEP access using a health care services model and fit RDS-adjusted logistic regressions to determine correlates of not using PrEP among those for whom PrEP was clinically recommended and who were aware of the intervention. RESULTS A total of 2449 GBM were recruited, of whom 2008 were HIV-negative or HIV-unknown; 1159 (511 in Montréal, 247 in Toronto and 401 in Vancouver) met clinical recommendations for PrEP. Of the 1159, 1100 were aware of PrEP (RDS-adjusted proportion: Montréal 84.6%, Toronto 94.2%, Vancouver 92.7%), 678 had felt the need for PrEP in the previous 6 months (RDS-adjusted proportion: Montréal 39.2%, Toronto 56.1%, Vancouver 49.0%), 406 had tried to access PrEP in the previous 6 months (RDS-adjusted proportion: Montréal 20.6%, Toronto 33.2%, Vancouver 29.6%) and 319 had used PrEP in the previous 6 months (RDS-adjusted proportion: Montréal 14.5%, Toronto 21.6%, Vancouver 21.8%). Not using PrEP was associated with several factors, including not feeling at high enough risk, viewing PrEP as not completely effective, not having a primary care provider and lacking medication insurance. INTERPRETATION Although half of GBM met clinical recommendations for PrEP, less than a quarter of them reported use. Despite high levels of awareness, a programmatic response that addresses PrEP-related perceptions and health care system barriers is needed to scale up PrEP access among GBM in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que.
| | - Herak Apelian
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Erica E M Moodie
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Marc Messier-Peet
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Daniel Grace
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - David M Moore
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Heather L Armstrong
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Jody Jollimore
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Ricky Rodrigues
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Darrell H S Tan
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Syed W Noor
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Bertrand Lebouché
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Cecile Tremblay
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Gbolahan Olarewaju
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
| | - Gilles Lambert
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health (Cox, Moodie, Maheu-Giroux), McGill University; Direction régionale de santé publique, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (Cox, Apelian, Messier-Peet, Lambert); Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Apelian, Messier-Peet), Montréal, Que.; Department of Psychology (Hart, Skakoon-Sparling, Rodrigues, Noor), Ryerson University; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Grace), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Moore, Armstrong, Olarewaju); Faculty of Medicine (Moore), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; School of Public Health & Social Policy (Lachowsky), Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC; Department of Psychology (Armstrong), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Community-Based Research Centre (Jollimore), Vancouver, BC; Division of Infectious Diseases (Tan), St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine (Tan), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine (Lebouché), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Lebouché), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Tremblay); Institut national de santé publique du Québec (Lambert), Montréal, Que
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McKie RM, Skakoon-Sparling S, Levere D, Sezlik S, Humphreys TP. Is There Space for Our Stories? An Examination of North American and Western European Gay, Bi, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men's Non-consensual Sexual Experiences. J Sex Res 2020; 57:1014-1025. [PMID: 32564626 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2020.1767023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the understanding and behaviors relating to sexual consent among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) internationally. Qualitative responses were collected from 350 men ranging from 18 to 73 years of age (M = 33.37) across Canada, the United States, and Western Europe. The results of a thematic analysis indicated that participants presented challenges with negotiating sexual consent. Themes were identified from the analysis detailing participants' perceptions and interactions prior to a sexual encounter (pre), during a sexual encounter (during), and after a sexual experience (post). Subthemes addressed a variety of issues GBM may face when engaging in sexual consent negotiations (e.g., sex-role positioning, power dynamics, sexual scripts among GBM, and additional sexual settings). These findings suggest that GBM face unique sexual consent challenges prior to, during, and in response to sexual encounters. Implications for demographic-specific resources and interventions are discussed further.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Drake Levere
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Cramer KM. Are We Blinded by Desire? Relationship Motivation and Sexual Risk-Taking Intentions during Condom Negotiation. J Sex Res 2020; 57:545-558. [PMID: 30884967 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2019.1579888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Effective condom negotiation skills support better sexual health for both men and women. The current study explored relationship motivation (motivation to establish and maintain long-term romantic relationships), gender, and sexual orientation as factors influencing the condom negotiation process. Participants (177 heterosexual women, 157 heterosexual men, and 106 men who have sex with men) read a vignette describing an encounter with a hypothetical new sexual/romantic partner and responded to embedded items and scales. Stronger relationship motivation predicted increased willingness to have condomless sex among women who perceived greater familiarity with the hypothetical partner. Gender and sexual orientation predicted different preferences for condom insistence strategies. The findings suggest that there are a number of conditions that make it more difficult to recognize risk during a sexual encounter and demonstrate how the process of condom negotiation can be impacted by gender, sexual orientation, and relationship motivation.
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Morgan EF, Giles M, Kroch AE, Milhausen RR, Bacon J. Communicating about risk for sexually transmitted HIV on the front lines in Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 2019. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2019-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON
| | | | - Madison Giles
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON
- Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Abigail E. Kroch
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON
- Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Robin R. Milhausen
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
| | - Jean Bacon
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON
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Isaacs C, Skakoon-Sparling S, Kohut T, Fisher WA. A dyadic approach to understanding safer sex behavior in intimate heterosexual relationships. J Health Psychol 2019; 26:1364-1376. [DOI: 10.1177/1359105319873958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study applied a dyadic approach to condom-use research. Partners from 124 heterosexual couples independently completed a questionnaire assessing condom-related attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to use condoms. Results demonstrate the superiority of a dyadic approach to understanding couples’ condom-use intentions and behavior over traditional, individual-level approaches. The addition of partner effects to the model, via the actor–partner interdependence model, resulted in an increase in the variance accounted for in condom-use intentions and this dyadic model showed better fit compared to the individual-level model. The results suggest that consideration of relationship partners plays an important role in the prediction of safer sex intentions.
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Braham J, Skakoon-Sparling S, Kilimnik C, Milhausen R. Intimate partner violence history and its association with condom use negotiation. Personality and Individual Differences 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Eleftheriou A, Bullock S, Graham CA, Skakoon-Sparling S, Ingham R. Does attractiveness influence condom use intentions in women who have sex with men? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217152. [PMID: 31120922 PMCID: PMC6532962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Attractiveness judgements have been shown to affect interpersonal relationships. The present study explored the relationships between perceived attractiveness, perceived sexual health status, condom use intentions and condom use resistance in women. Setting The study data were collected using an online questionnaire. Participants 480 English-speaking women who have sex with men, between 18–32 years old. Outcome measures Women were asked to rate the attractiveness of 20 men on the basis of facial photographs, to estimate the likelihood that each man had a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and to indicate their willingness to have sex with each man without a condom. Condom resistance tactics were also measured and their influence on condom use intentions was assessed. Results The more attractive a man was judged to be, the more likely it was that participants were willing to have sex with him (r (478) = 0.987, p < .001). Further, the more attractive a man was judged to be, the less likely women were to intend to use a condom during sex (r = -0.552, df = 478, p = .007). The average perceived STI likelihood for a man had no significant association with his average perceived attractiveness or with participants’ average willingness to have sex with him. The more attractive a participant judged herself to be, the more she believed that, overall, men are likely to have a STI (r = 0.103, df = 478, p < .05). Conclusions Women’s perceptions of men’s attractiveness influence their condom use intentions; such risk biases should be incorporated into sexual health education programmes and condom use interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Eleftheriou
- Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Complex Systems Simulation, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Seth Bullock
- Department of Computer Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Cynthia A. Graham
- Centre for Sexual Health Research, Psychology, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Roger Ingham
- Centre for Sexual Health Research, Psychology, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
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Komarnicky T, Skakoon-Sparling S, Milhausen RR, Breuer R. Genital Self-Image: Associations with Other Domains of Body Image and Sexual Response. J Sex Marital Ther 2019; 45:524-537. [PMID: 30836857 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2019.1586018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Genital self-image is an emerging aspect of body image relevant to sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. The aims of the present study were to (1) examine the association between body image and genital self-image with a broad range of sexuality-related outcomes; (2) explore whether genital self-image is a more salient influence on sexual satisfaction and functioning than body image and (3) determine whether this would hold true for both men and women. The analytic sample (6,228 cis-gendered, heterosexual men and women between the ages of 18 and 40) was recruited from reddit.com online communities. Participants completed a survey that assessed genital self-image, body image, sexual satisfaction, and sexual functioning. Among women and men, positive genital self-image was associated with positive feelings about one's body overall and reduced body-related concerns specific to sexual encounters (e.g., sexual performance). In female respondents, as genital self-image increased, so did sexual satisfaction. Although genital self-image did not significantly predict sexual satisfaction among men, exploratory analysis indicated a mediating relationship with body image concerns. Findings from the current study may inform interventions to facilitate the development of a healthy sexual self-concept as well as a more positive outlook on genital appearance among men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Komarnicky
- a Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario , Canada
| | - Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- a Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario , Canada
| | - Robin R Milhausen
- b University of Guelph , Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, Macdonald Institute , Guelph , Ontario , Canada
| | - Rebecca Breuer
- a Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario , Canada
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Crosby R, Skakoon-Sparling S, Milhausen RR, Sanders S, Graham CA, Yarber WL. The Protective Value of Discussing Condom Use: A Study of Young Black Men Attending STI Clinics in the Southern United States. Health Educ Behav 2018; 45:706-713. [PMID: 29855210 DOI: 10.1177/1090198118775496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Young Black men (YBM) experience disparities in both HIV incidence and incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs); thus, developing efficacious behavioral interventions is an especially critical goal. One potential avenue for intervention involves improving sexual health communications among YBM and their partners, before sex occurs. Such discussions may serve several purposes, including improving condom use and facilitating the negotiation of correct and consistent condom use. The aim of the current study was to determine the STI-protective effects of discussing condom use with sex partners, among medically underserved YBM. A total of 702 YBM were recruited from three STI clinics in the Southern United States. YBM completed a self-interview at baseline and again 6 months later. At 12 months postenrollment, a chart review determined incidents of STIs. The majority of YBM participants (61.1%) had recently discussed condom use with partners before sex. Of the 12 assessed outcomes, 7 were significantly associated with this measure. In each case, a protective effect was observed. In controlled analyses, the 12-month incidence of STIs was significantly ( p = .05) greater among YBM not discussing condoms with sex partners. The results of the current study suggest that, among YBM attending clinics, discussing condom use with sex partners may promote safer sex practices. This behavior was also predictive of lower STI incidence in the ensuing 12 months, suggesting that it may be an ideal intervention target for programs designed to protect YBM against STI acquisition, including HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Crosby
- 1 University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,2 The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | | | | | - Stephanie Sanders
- 2 The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Cramer KM. The impact of sexual arousal on elements of sexual decision making: Sexual self-restraint, motivational state, and self-control. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 2016. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.252-a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sexual arousal has been shown to have an impact on risk-taking and intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviour (e.g., Ariely & Loewenstein, 2006; Shuper & Fisher, 2008; Skakoon-Sparling, Cramer, & Shuper, 2016); however, the mechanisms underlying this effect are not well understood. To further investigate the effects of sexual arousal on sexual health decision-making, the current study was designed to examine the associations among self-control, sexual self-restraint, and motivational state, as well as the impact of sexual arousal on these factors. Forty-nine female and 26 male participants viewed either sexually arousing (experimental condition) or control video clips and responded to inventories designed to measure their self-control, sexual self-restraint, and meta-motivational state balance (within the Rules domain of Reversal Theory). A moderate positive correlation was found across all participants between self-control and self-restraint. Participants in the sexual arousal condition scored significantly lower on measures of self-control and sexual self-restraint; no effect was found for the meta-motivational state measure used. The results of this study suggest that sexual arousal either functions to deplete individuals' internal reserves of self-control or that it creates conditions that make it difficult to access the cognitive capacity to engage in self-control. This effect, combined with the correspondingly low score on our measure of sexual self-restraint, suggest that this may be an avenue through which sexual arousal negatively impacts sexual health decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Psychology Department, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON
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Skakoon-Sparling S, Cramer KM, Shuper PA. The Impact of Sexual Arousal on Sexual Risk-Taking and Decision-Making in Men and Women. Arch Sex Behav 2016; 45:33-42. [PMID: 26310879 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-015-0589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Sexual arousal has emerged as an important contextual feature in sexual encounters that can impact safer-sex decision-making. We conducted two experiments that investigated the effects of sexual arousal among male and female participants. Experiment 1 (N = 144) examined the impact of sexual around on sexual health decision-making. Sexually explicit and neutral video clips as well as hypothetical romantic scenarios were used to evaluate the effects of sexual arousal on sexual risk-taking intentions. Men and women who reported higher levels of sexual arousal also displayed greater intentions to participate in risky sexual behavior (e.g., unprotected sex with a new sex partner). Experiment 2 (N = 122) examined the impact of sexual arousal on general risk-taking, using the same videos clips as in Experiment 1 and a modified version of a computerized Blackjack card game. Participants were offered a chance to make either a risky play or a safe play during ambiguous conditions. Increased sexual arousal in Experiment 2 was associated with impulsivity and a greater willingness to make risky plays in the Blackjack game. These findings suggest that, in situations where there are strong sexually visceral cues, both men and women experiencing strong sexual arousal may have lower inhibitions and may experience impaired decision-making. This phenomenon may have an impact during sexual encounters and may contribute to a failure to use appropriate prophylactic protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayna Skakoon-Sparling
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 173 Chrysler Hall South, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada.
- Social and Epidemiological Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Kenneth M Cramer
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 173 Chrysler Hall South, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Paul A Shuper
- Social and Epidemiological Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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