PrEP is indicated for roughly 50% of Engage participants. In 2019-2020, the proportion of those guys taking PrEP rose to 36%. However, this means that 64% of gay, bi and trans guys in Montréal who could benefit from PrEP don’t take it.
COVID-19 Precautions to Keep Participants and Study Personnel safe
Here are the steps we are taking to ensure your safety:
Anyone with the following risk factors for exposure to COVID-19 will not be permitted to complete their study visit and will be re-booked for an appointment at least two weeks in the future:
Those who in the last 7 days, have had one or more of the following symptoms: cough, fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, diarrhea, extreme fatigue, loss of taste or smell OR
Those who in the last 14 days have been in close contact with a person who was diagnosed with COVID-19 OR
Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days
We ask that participants come alone and do not bring a friend/companion
A distance of 2m between study staff and participants will be maintained as much as possible
Study staff will be wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e. face masks etc…)
We will provide face masks and make hand sanitizer available to participants
Computer stations will be thoroughly cleaned before and between participants
The time spent with the study nurse will be significantly shorter than during previous visits
What is Engage Montreal?
The objective of the Engage study is to provide an up-to-date portrait of various aspects related to the sexual health of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). This information aims to support prevention interventions.
Participants are residents of Vancouver, Toronto or Montréal, and have been sexually active with other men in the past 6 months. Montréal’s public health department is doing the Montréal component of the study in collaboration with a team of representatives from community organizations, universities and public health.
Engage is the most recent study of gbMSM undertaken in Québec that combines observations collected through a questionnaire and biological samples. The last study of this nature dates back to 2008.
Recruiting a representative sample of a specific population always presents a challenge. The Engage study used an adapted form of chain referral sampling: participants were recruited through people who have already participated in the study. All participants are invited to continue their participation by returning at 6-month intervals to complete a questionnaire and provide biological samples.
Engage Montreal is currently inviting participants for another cycle of data collection.
Have you received an email or a phone call inviting you to book your one-year follow-up appointment?
Participating in the Engage one-year follow-up visit will provide information on the real-time evolution of the sexual health of men who have sex with men over time and is an excellent opportunity to make a very precious and tangible contribution to advancing men’s sexual health in Montreal and across Canada.
Much like previous Engage study visits, to compensate you for your time and transportation costs, you will receive 60$ cash at the end of your visit. For this follow-up visit, you will not be asked to recruit other men to participate in this study.
If you have questions concerning the research project
or if you have a problem you think may be related to your participation in the
research project, you may communicate with the principal investigators:
Dr. Joseph Cox (514-528-2400 x3630)
Dr. Gilles Lambert (514-528-2400 x3802)
For any question concerning
your rights as a research participant, comment or complaint, you may
communicate with the MUHC Office of the Ombudsman.
