Engage-COVID-19: A mixed Methods Study of Biomedical, Behavioural, and Psychosocial Aspects of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in Canada

The objective of this study is to document SARS-COV-2 infection and immunity and related determinants, as well as to examine how measures to stop or slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., physical distancing, personal hygiene, quarantine, travel restrictions) are received, understood, and being taken up by gay and bisexual men (GBM). The aims are: 1. Biomedical: * Ascertain occurrence of COVID-19 by documenting SARS-CoV-2 immunity within both HIV-positive and -negative participants across three jurisdictional sites. * Identify risk factors for COVID-19 acquisition, including sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics (e.g., site of recruitment, ethno-cultural identity, type of employment, financial strain), behaviours (e.g., adherence to physical distancing, sexual relations), and potential exposure to COVID-19 (e.g., national or international travel, close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case). * Characterize the clinical syndrome and related severity of both diagnosed cases and those having demonstrable immunity, while considering HIV status and clinical factors (e.g., comorbidities including level of HIV-related immune deficiency, hypertension, diabetes). 2. Behavioural & psychosocial: * Assess the understanding of COVID-19 mitigation strategies (e.g., physical distancing, quarantine, hygiene, travel restrictions) among GBM, sources of COVID-19 information, if and how these mitigation strategies were applied by GBM, and barriers to practicing these prevention behaviours. * Explore the direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic on GBM, including how COVID-19 is impacting mental health outcomes, experiences of loneliness, sexual behaviours, substance use patterns, and access to essential healthcare and services (e.g., potential disrupted access to HIV/STI testing, treatment, and prevention (e.g., PrEP), mental health services, harm reduction services). * Provide an integrated approach to knowledge translation (KT), including adapting behavioural HIV prevention interventions based on our findings to reduce COVID-19 transmission behaviours.

Overview

Acronym
Engage-COVID-19
Investigators
Dr. Daniel Grace
University of Toronto
Dr. Joseph Cox
McGill University
Dr. Trevor Hart
Ryerson University
Dr. David Moore
British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
Dr. Gilles Lambert
University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM)
Dr. Nathan Lachowsky
University of Victoria
Mr. Jody Jollimore
Community Based Research Centre
Contacts
Dr. Shayna Skakoon-Sparling Shayna
Ryerson University
Dr. Daniel Grace
University of Toronto

General Design

Study design
Cohort
Start - End Year
2020 - 2021
General Information on Follow Up (profile, frequency)
The first wave of data collection was completed in April 2021 and the second wave of data collection is on-going (anticipated completion in October 2021).
Recruitment Target
  • Individuals
Number of Participants
1,842
Number of Participants with Biological Samples
1,842

Timeline

Population

Engage-COVID-19 population
The population is composed of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) who are enrolled in the Engage Cohort Study and are older than 16 years.

Selection Criteria

Sex
Men only
Minimum age
17
Countries
  • Canada
Canadian Provinces
  • British Columbia
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
Territory
Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal
Other Criteria
self-identify as a Gay and Bisexual Men (GBM), including transgender GBM, reported having sex with another man within the past 6 months, and able to read English or French.

Sources of Recruitment

Participants from Existing Studies
  • Engage Cohort Study

Sample Size

Number of Participants
1,842
Number of Participants with Biological Samples
1,842
Supplementary information about number of participants
Vancouver: 565 participants
Toronto: 388 participants
Montreal: 889 participants

Data Collection Events

# Name Data sources Data sources - Biosamples Start End
0 Engage-COVID-19 - Wave 1
  • Questionnaires
  • Biosamples
  • Blood
2020 (September) 2021 (April)
1 Engage-COVID-19 - Wave 2
  • Questionnaires
  • Biosamples
  • Blood
2021 (April) 2021 (October)

Participating Studies

Acronym Name Study design Countries

Harmonization Initiatives Included

Acronym Name

Datasets

Name Data Collection Events Variables

Areas of Information Collected

Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
Death
Lifestyle and behaviours
Physical measures and assessments
Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
Laboratory measures
Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
Diseases
Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
Symptoms and signs
Preschool, school and work life
Medication and supplements
Social environment and relationships
Non-pharmacological interventions
Physical environment
Health and community care services utilization
Administrative information

Variables Content Summary

Areas of Information Collected
No Areas of Information Collected
No Scales Collected
Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event
No Areas of Information Collected
No Scales Collected

Networks

Acronym Name Harmonization Initiatives Individual Studies
Last Update: 2022-02-23T16:31:09.123