The Canadian Institutes of Health Research launched the Boys' and Men's Health (BMH) Team Grant funding opportunity in November 2013, in partnership with the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
In total, eight research projects have received funding under this Initiative. The following three projects relate specifically to the area of HIV/AIDS.
Title: HPV screening and vaccine evaluation in men who have sex with men
Lead: Dr. Irving E. Salit, University Health Network (Toronto, Ontario)
Funding:
- Total: $1.5 Million
- CIHR: $750,000
- OHTN: $750,000
Summary
Men tend to underutilize health resources and are often unengaged in many screening and prevention programs. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and is of particular high risk for men who have sex with men (MSM). Little is known about screening and treatment of anal HPV, markers for those at risk, and organized screening programs.
This team brings together community and internationally-recognized experts in HPV disease and immunology to improve HPV screening and management in MSM who tested HIV-positive. It also seeks to understand how this common infection enhances HIV transmission. Finally, this project will examine ways to improve care (e.g. anal cancer screening) as well as address issues of prevention (e.g. vaccine use).
It is anticipated that this project will have a direct impact on care and prevention of HPV in Canada.
Title: HIV Prevention for Gay and Bisexual Men: A Multisite Study and Development of New HIV Prevention Interventions
Lead: Dr. Trevor Hart, Ryerson University (Toronto, Ontario)
Funding:
- Total: $1.5 Million
- CIHR: $500,000
- OHTN: $500,000
- CANFAR: $500,000
Summary
This pan-Canadian research team will investigate inconsistencies between access to HIV prevention and treatment in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. The team will be informed by community stakeholders and also use its resources to train and mentor new researchers in the field.
The study findings will inform the development of three HIV prevention and sexual health promotion programs. These programs will be evaluated through pilot testing using a program science approach.
It is anticipated that this project will reduce HIV and STI transmission and infection among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The team will share its research findings to academic and community audiences so that the knowledge can be turned into action.
Title: Reducing HIV vulnerabilities and promoting resilience among self-identified heterosexual African, Caribbean and Black Men in Ontario
Lead: Dr. Josephine Wong, Ryerson University (Toronto, Ontario)
Funding:
- Total: $1.5 Million
- CIHR: $500,000
- OHTN: $1 Million
Summary
Research evidence shows that heterosexual African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) men experience social inequalities that increase their vulnerabilities to HIV. However, current HIV research, programming and policies in Ontario are not aligned with heterosexual ACB men's needs and interests, and fail to engage them in community responses to HIV.
This research program focuses on HIV risks and vulnerabilities as well as individual and collective resilience of ACB men and communities. The research team will use community empowerment and capacity building approaches to engage and mobilize self-identified heterosexual ACB men, service providers and relevant stakeholders in Toronto, London, Ottawa, and Windsor.
With a goal to generate new knowledge, the results of this project will contribute to the development and implementation of HIV programming, inclusive research, and responsive policy to reduce HIV disparities among heterosexual ACB men and communities in Ontario. Through community engagement strategies, the project will promote sustainable involvement of ACB men and cross-sector partnerships in community HIV responses. Furthermore, the team will help prepare the next generation of HIV researchers in Ontario.
