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

What this study is about

This study s objective is to test the acceptability and feasibility of a guide to facilitate counseling about HIV prevention, focusing on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a medication taken by HIV-negative persons to avoid an HIV infection. Healthcare providers (including but not limited to physicians and nurses) who see gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) will be randomly assigned to completing a short online training versus continuing their usual activities. The online training consists of modules containing brief information about PrEP, and about how to address concerns and difficulties that GBM face to get PrEP and to take care of their sexual health. The investigators will ask healthcare providers to answer questionnaires before and after the research activities take place, and a member of the research team will interview some of them at the end. Every time a healthcare provider has a counseling session with a GBM, they will facilitate putting a research coordinator in touch with the person receiving the counseling. Those GBM will also be asked to fill out questionnaires. These activities will take place in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

Eligible participants at the provider level ('provider-participants') will be nurses, nurse practitioners, counselors and physicians working at sexual health clinics, public health clinics and primary care practices, with or without experience giving PrEP counseling. 1A. Inclusion criteria for provider-participants: * For practicing health-care professionals, hold a valid license to practice in Ontario (this includes resident physicians) * Anticipate encountering a minimum of five PrEP-eligible GBM and TGNC eligible for PrEP in the three months after enrolling in the study 1B. Exclusion criteria for provider-participants * Anticipate to stop working at their current practice site before the end of the study 2A. Inclusion criteria for user-participants * Be \> 19 years of age * Self-identify as a gender different from cisgender woman * Be presenting to their provider for sexual health/HIV testing or any other services * Not having used PrEP in the three months prior to enrollment * Having clinical indication for PrEP as per the Canadian PrEP guideline (i.e.: - * Report having condomless anal sex with a man in the preceding 6 months plus any of the following: syphilis …

Where this trial is running

• Options Lab, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Who to contact

Oscar Javier Pico Espinosa, MD MSPH PHD · 416-864-6060 · oscarjavier.picoespinosa@unityhealth.to

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06710171.