New research suggests scaling up HIV testing and prevention among gay and bisexual men

The study compares data on the prevalence of HIV and STI testing in Canada’s largest cities

Research suggests that cities need focused efforts to increase testing and access to prevention medications to reduce HIV infection rates.

Reports from public health agenices suggest that half of the HIV diagnoses in Canada are among gay and bisexual men. They are also 131 times more likely to contract HIV than other Canadian men.

recent study, co-authored by psychology professor and public health scientist Trevor Hart examines how HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect gay and bisexual men, analyzing the differences in infection rates and preventive behaviours between the three largest cities in Canada – Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

“As the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions slowly ease and people return to increased socializing and dating, there are many other types of infections we need to pay attention to that are transmitted through regular interactions, including through sex,” said Hart. 

“This research is significant because it presents the first profile in 10 years of HIV and STIs among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. We have come a long way in the last decade and people have many other choices now besides condoms to protect themselves,” he added.


You can read the full piece by Surbhi Bir on Ryerson Today.

Engage
August 05th, 2021