Men's Experiences of Substances and Sexual Health (MESH) Study
MESH is a new, CIHR-funded research study focused on exploring substance and sexual health among 2Spirit, gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men (2SGBQ+) across four cities in Canada: Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
The study aims to address the persistent overrepresentation of 2SGBQ+ men among new HIV/STBBI diagnoses in Canada, while also exploring the role that substance use plays in influencing health outcomes.
MESH Winnipeg will be supported through a partnership between the Village Lab, led by Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, and Nine Circles Community Health Centre, led by Jared Star, Director of Research. The study will also be guided by local 2Spirit and Village Lab Elder, Dr. Albert McLeod.
The Specific Study Objectives Are:
1. To investigate the social, psychological, and behavioural determinants of sexual health among 2SGBQ+ men in Canada, focusing on STIs and uptake of doxycycline as pre-and-post exposure prophylaxis.
2. To examine the social, psychological, and behavioural determinants of substance use, particularly crystal methamphetamine, and factors associated with problematic and non-problematic use.
3. To explore factors associated with acquiring STIs, including changes in risk behaviours and prevention methods (including PrEP use) over time.
Study Design and Participant Eligibility:
MESH will recruit approximately 200 participants from within or around Winnipeg who identify as a man (including those on the trans-masculine spectrum) who are 16 years or older and who have had sex with another man in the previous 6 months. Each participant will be invited to complete a series of 5 visits over a period of two years that include an HIV/STBBI test with a nurse at Nine Circles and a questionnaire.
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MESH Winnipeg will begin recruitment in 2025. Please check back here for more information about how to get involved.
〰️ MESH Winnipeg will begin recruitment in 2025. Please check back here for more information about how to get involved.
Questions?
Contact Jared Star, Director of Research for Nine Circles Community Health Centre and MESH study coordinator by email at: jstar@ninecircles.ca or the Village Lab directly at villagelab@umanitoba.ca.
