This article highlights Canadian HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) prevention resources on and for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), with a focus on sexual health. Some resources are relevant to trans and non-binary people. Additional Canadian resources on harm reduction for gbMSM can be found in this Prevention in Focus article.
Resources for gbMSM
These resources for gbMSM address the prevention of HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis and other STBBIs. Some resources look broadly at sexual health and well-being, while others focus on specific infections.
The sex you want
Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH)
This website provides information on safer sex strategies, looking after yourself and your partners, and other topics that can help gbMSM navigate decisions related to sex.
Ready for action
Coalition des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte contre le sida (COCQ-SIDA)
This website covers a range of safer sex topics for gbMSM, including preventing STBBIs and exploring different types of sex.
More than sex
Health Initiative for Men (HiM)
This website focuses on the experiences and perspectives of queer men and non-binary people and explores sexual health and related topics.
Safer booty bumping for guys who party and play
CATIE
This pocket-sized resource provides information for guys who party and play on self-care and safer sex when it comes to booty bumping. The wallet card contains tips for better health and preventing STBBIs.
Syphilis guide for Two-Spirit people and gay, bisexual and queer+ guys
CATIE | Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC)
This animated video provides information about syphilis prevention, testing and treatment for a diverse Two-Spirit, gay, bisexual and queer+ audience.
Syphilis is on the rise! Learn more to protect yourself and your partners
CBRC | RÉZO
This two-page guide explains syphilis prevention, testing and treatment for gay, bisexual, queer and trans people.
Doxy-PEP: medication to prevent syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea
CBRC | RÉZO
This resource reviews the use of doxycycline to prevent syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. It includes information to help gbMSM speak to their healthcare provider about using doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP), as well as information pages on doxyPEP that gbMSM can share with a healthcare provider.
Doxycycline PEP for prevention of sexually transmitted infections
GMSH
This brief for gbMSM summarizes key research on the effectiveness of doxycycline to prevent sexually transmitted infections and explains dosing and side effects.
Resources for service providers
These resources provide information on STBBIs and prevention programming to help service providers better support gbMSM.
Fact sheets on health promotion for gbMSM
GMSH
This series of fact sheets for sexual health providers explain STBBI prevention, testing and treatment for gbMSM and cover topics including sex-positive messaging and the impact of stigma:
Sexual health and hepatitis C: Testing, care, and treatment
Hepatitis C among guys who have sex with guys
CATIE
This video features four service providers who offer strengths-based and community-driven approaches for integrating hepatitis C conversations into sexual health and harm reduction services for gbMSM.
CATIE statement on the use of doxyPEP to prevent syphilis
CATIE
This CATIE statement provides evidence-informed recommendations on the rollout of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) in Canada and reviews the evidence on the effectiveness of doxyPEP for syphilis prevention.
Doxycycline to help prevent bacterial STIs
CATIE
This fact sheet summarizes the effectiveness and use of doxycycline post- and pre-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP and doxyPrEP) to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
PrEP use among gbMSM: What does it mean for STI prevention?
CATIE
This article reviews the impact that HIV PrEP use may have on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections among gbMSM.
This article looks at vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) among gbMSM, including the effectiveness of vaccination, barriers and facilitators to vaccination and ways in which service providers can promote vaccine uptake.
Canadian research on STBBI prevention and gbMSM
The following is a sample of Canadian research projects examining different aspects of STBBI prevention among gbMSM. Findings from these projects can help inform the delivery of STBBI prevention and care for gbMSM in Canada.
Engage is a multi-year cohort study of gbMSM from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver examining the prevention, testing and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Study results have been shared through articles and presentations, among other means.
PrEP Implementation Project (PRIMP)
The PRIMP study explored patterns of HIV PrEP use over time, including daily and on-demand PrEP, using community surveys and interviews with gbMSM in British Columbia and Ontario.
The Future of PrEP is Now project aims to inform the implementation of long-acting PrEP in Canada by looking at the barriers and preferences for long-acting PrEP delivery among Two-Spirit, gay, bisexual, trans and queer men. The project includes focus groups with community members and health systems stakeholders and a community survey.
Doxycycline as an Intervention for bacterial STI Chemoprophylaxis (DISCO)
DISCO is a clinical study examining the use of doxyPrEP and doxyPEP to prevent sexually transmitted infections among gbMSM and trans women across six Canadian cities. The project will provide information on the effectiveness, acceptability and safety of doxyPrEP and doxyPEP among gbMSM and trans women.
Sex Now is a periodic survey of gay, bisexual, trans, Two-Spirit and queer (GBT2Q) men that has been conducted since 2002 by the Community-Based Research Centre. Originating in British Columbia, Sex Now became a national survey in 2008 and has explored many different aspects of health and well-being among GBT2Q men in Canada. In addition to reports and presentations, results from various Sex Now surveys can be viewed through a data dashboard.