ACT’s current research activities
MaBwana Black Men’s Study
Lambda/M-Track
ACCHO’s Keep it alive campaign evaluation
ACT Research Day
ACT Research Advisory Committee
OHTN Committees
Research and Program Development for ACT
Reports from previous ACT research studies
MaBwana Black Men’s Study
MaBwana is a study of vulnerability to HIV among Black, African and Caribbean gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Toronto. The purpose of the study is to enable HIV prevention programming that is supported by research evidence. The primary objectives of the study are to:
- Characterize Black gay, bisexual and MSM in Toronto in terms of their socio-demographic characteristics, sexual relationships and sexual behaviours;
- Determine correlates of sexual risk behaviour and differences among Black gay, bisexual and MSM related to their sexual behaviours;
- Examine the experiences, influences and decision-making associated with (un)protected sex among Black gay, bisexual and MSM, and how these experiences, influences, decision-making and sexual behaviours may define microcultures;
- Understand how Black gay, bisexual and MSM interpret and assess current HIV prevention campaigns, and the extent to which the campaign messages influence their sexual behaviours.
The study involves key informant interviews, and a survey and in depth interviews with Black, African and Caribbean gay and bisexual men and MSM.
MaBwana is funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), and is an initiative of the African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO). It is a 2-year study (estimated completion date is Sept/Oct 2008). This study is currently wrapping up and a knowledge transfer strategy is in development. The principal investigators on this project are Winston Husbands (ACT and ACCHO) and Clemon George (University of Ontario Institute of Technology).
For more information, contact the MaBwana coordinator by email (mabwana@actoronto.org) or call 416-340-8484 ext. 233
Lambda/M-Track
Lambda is the Ontario arm of the M-Track national surveillance study to monitor trends in HIV prevalence and incidence, sexually transmitted infections, and risk behaviours among men who have sex with men (MSM). Lambda data will facilitate and inform HIV prevention and related programming, and may also contribute to assessing the impact of various interventions on HIV and STI infection rates and risk behaviours.
The Lambda survey includes core questions that are asked across all Canadian sites, as well as site-specific questions that were added by the Ontario team to address emerging issues in the province. A venue- and event-based survey method was used to administer the survey to a sample of 2,000 men in Toronto and 500 in Ottawa. Biologic samples (dried blood spot) were collected from consenting participants. Data analysis, preparation of a report, and community knowledge transfer activities will take place within a year of the data collection.
M-Track was conceived by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and is funded by PHAC. ACT and the HIV Social, Behavioural, Epidemiological Studies Unit at the University of Toronto are working in partnership with PHAC to implement Lambda.
Lambda report and dissemination activities are in preparation.
For more information see www.lambdasurvey.ca
ACCHO’s Keep it alive campaign evaluation
This study will examine how the Keep it alive HIV prevention and awareness campaign was received in African and Caribbean communities in Ontario. Keep it alive was developed by the African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO).
The study seeks to understand how the campaign was understood in African and Caribbean communities, and its impact on HIV awareness, sexual decision-making and testing in those communities. This research is also crucial for informing how campaigns may be developed and implemented in the future, and should indicate as well the kind of work that has to be done in African and Caribbean communities on an on-going basis in response to HIV/AIDS.
This study will be funded by ACCHO and will occur in 2009/2010. The research team includes Clemon George (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), Winston Husbands (ACT and ACCHO), and Haile Fenta (OHTN).
ACT Research Day
ACT Research Day is an annual event for HIV/AIDS service providers, researchers, policy makers, and other community stakeholders. This event is aimed at developing community-based research capacity for front-line staff, and to stimulate community-based HIV knowledge transfer and exchange among researchers and service providers. ACT has organized and hosted the event annually since 2003. ACT Research Day 2009 was comprised of two half-day events to discuss current research, policy, programs and services, as well as the broader political landscape that shapes the work of AIDS service organizations.
Part I: Making Sense of HIV Research (Thursday May 7, 2009) was centred on building research literacy. Participants worked through common questions and concerns about epidemiology, psychosocial behavioural models, and program development in interactive workshops based on current and relevant HIV research.
Part II: Knowledge for Access (Thursday May 14, 2009) was a half-day event that engaged HIV/AIDS service providers, researchers, and policy makers in moderated discussions on how current research may inform HIV/AIDS programs and policy. Panel discussions and presentations focused on a broad range of topics, including the social impact of the criminalization of non-disclosure, ethics and ethics boards for community-based research, the sexual health and HIV vulnerability of gay Latino newcomers, group-based motiviational interviewing as a harm reduction intervention and ODSP employment supports for people living with HIV/AIDS.
ACT Research Day 2010 will be held in the spring of 2010. A Steering Committee made up of ACT staff and other stakeholders plans and organizes the event.
Further more information see ACT Research Day on the web
ACT Research Advisory Committee
ACT’s reconstituted Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is assisting the agency to identify and develop research priorities, themes and opportunities for the next three years. The RAC meets at least three times a year.
OHTN Committees
Winston Husbands is involved in a variety if initiatives at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) that seek to build research and KTE capacity. These include the Research Network Advisory Committee (RNAC) and the KTE Working Group.
Research and Program Development for ACT
The research and program development group are currently involved in multiple activities to support ACT staff with program planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Supporting ACT staff with a logic model approach to work planning
Three years ago program logic models (PLM) were initiated to upgrade program planning, monitoring and evaluating infrastructure at ACT. The research team continues to work with program staff to assist them in using the PLM template, identifying success indicators, incorporating monitoring and evaluating (M&E) activities into workplans, and designing and implementing M&E activities. Research staff support ACT staff by delivering workshops and other learning opportunities related to PLM.
Supporting ACT staff with program monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
The research team works with individual program staff to assist them in designing and implementing M&E activities. In addition, the research team designs and delivers workshops to improve research literacy among program staff (e.g., basic data collection and data management, how to read reviews, etc).
Library Needs Assessment
The reference and circulating catalogue of ACT’s library has the largest publicly available collection of books, journals, periodicals and other materials on HIV/AIDS in Canada (i.e., the library is operated as a public library). In addition, ACT’s Library manages and distributes other resources for agencies and people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs). ACT is well placed to facilitate “one-stop shopping” for optimally packaged, high quality and relevant research summaries and reviews that identify actionable messages.
We are currently implementing a needs assessment of the ACT Library. The objectives of the needs assessment are: (a) to understand who uses the library for what services, and potential future needs (b) to understand the extent to which users’ needs are being met; (c) to determine gaps in services, and (d) to assess the library’s role in working with partners to acquire, develop, assess and disseminate research summaries to service providers and policy makers. The results and recommendations of this assessment will be published in 2009. Winston Husbands, Erica Lee, Lily Mac and Jessica Cattaneo are involved in this project, which will be completed early 2010.
Bathhouse Counseling Intervention Evaluation
ACT, in partnership with McMaster University, CAMH, Ryerson University, and the M2Men network, is developing an evaluation and assessment of the Bathhouse Counselling Intervention, Towel Talk, a pilot counselling initiative funded by Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, AIDS Bureau, developed with the support of the M2Men network (M2Men is a Toronto-based network of front-line sexual health/HIV prevention education workers who work with gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men), and supervised through the AIDS Committee of Toronto.
Towel Talk places a counsellor in three of Toronto’s male bathhouses, in order to provide brief counseling sessions (15 to 30 minutes), as well as referrals to other health and support services, to bathhouse patrons.
Towel Talk builds on current outreach programs, by increasing access to psycho-social counseling and other support and community service.
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in order to determine the suitability of bathhouses for brief counselling sessions, as well as aid in the design and development of the pilot program
Toward evidence informed support services for PHAs: A scoping review of existing research
The Scoping Review is a collaborative effort between ACT, the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), the Ontario AIDS Network, the AIDS Bureau, AIDS Calgary, and AIDS New Brunswick. The purpose of this research project is to initiate and support evidence-informed approach for ASO-delivered support services and programs for PHAs in Canada by locating and mobilizing research evidence in the domains of counseling and casemangement and health promotion for PHAs.
The main objectives of this study are:
- To identify all existing systematic reviews related to CCM and health promotion for PHAs;
- To assess the quality and local applicability of the systematic reviews that are identified;
- To map the primary studies related to casemanagement and health promotion for PHAs and
- To disseminate in used friendly formats the findings of our study to ASO decision-makers, researchers and policy makers, including suggested strategies for addressing the identified knowledge gaps.
GPS: Gay Poz Sex (Finding your own way)
The Poz Prevention Project (GPS: Gay Poz Sex, Finding your own way) will develop an HIV prevention and sexual health promotion strategy for gay and bisexual HIV positive men in a sex positive and community-based research framework. We will develop a confidential, group-based, peer-led program that will support HIV-positive gay and bisexual men in making choices related to their sexual health, mental health, physical health and community’s health. The group intervention utilizes “motivational interviewing”, which is a client-centred approach to developing motivation to make changes in one’s life. We will evaluate this program to determine if it has positive effects in the community.
Exploring choices
ACT is involved with Exploring Choices, a research study conducted in partnership with researchers from CAMH, Casey House, St. Michael’s Hospital, and the University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work. This project was developed in response to a prevention need identified by the Gay and Bi Men’s Crystal Meth Task Force.
This pilot study is intended to:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of combining harm reduction and motivational interviewing as an approach to reducing HIV risk amongst both HIV-negative and HIV-positive gay and bisexual men, and
- Link support services with HIV prevention and harm reduction programs in a coordinated manner that can be evaluated and easily implemented by others.
Document last updated: October 2009
