Study finds most gay men take HIV prevention seriously

VANCOUVER, BC – On the eve of the 6th annual Gay Men’s Health Summit, the Health Initiative for Men (HIM), Vancouver Coastal Health, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS are announcing the results from ManCount, the first-ever study of HIV rates among gay men in Vancouver.

ManCount is a second-generation HIV surveillance study linked to M-Track, a national monitoring program organized by the Public Health Agency of Canada. It found that the majority of gay men are using preventative tools, such as regular condom use and regular testing, to reduce their risk of HIV transmission and infection. 

“ManCount confirms the anecdotal evidence we’ve heard at the HIM Sexual Health Centre – that gay men take HIV seriously,” said HIM Executive Director Wayne Robert. “While gay men continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, Vancouver’s results are comparable to other urban centres in North America.”

The study was a collaborative project between Vancouver Coastal Health, HIM, BC Centre for Disease Control, the Community Based Research Centre, the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the Public Health Agency of Canada. It ran from August 2008 to February 2009, and consisted of a series of interviews with men in Vancouver’s gay venues. 

Of the more than 3,324 men over 19 years of age who were approached to take part, 1,169 completed the survey and 1,139 provided anonymous “blood spot” samples which were later tested for HIV. 

ManCount revealed that 86 per cent of gay and bisexual men surveyed in Vancouver have been tested for HIV, although this number drops to 77 per cent in those under 30. Of the 18 per cent who are HIV-positive, 70 per cent are taking Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) medications.  Only 2.5 per cent of those surveyed were unaware that they were HIV-positive. Of those, 50 per cent were in-between tests. 

“While we are encouraged by the high rates of STI and HIV testing reported in the study, it is also clear that we have an opportunity for further outreach and education, particularly with young gay men,” said Dr. Réka Gustafson, Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health. “We will continue to work with our partners to increase the testing rates for younger gay men as well as increase education about new testing technologies with this target population.”  

Evidence-based research is important to the formulation of good public health policy. Studies such as ManCount provide valuable data that informs decision-making at the policy level. 

“This research will help community groups and public health officials make better decisions,” said Dr. Mark Gilbert, BC Centre for Disease Control. “The results from ManCount will help our agencies work together to ensure that gay men have the tools and information they need to live long, healthy lives.”

Similar HIV studies were conducted in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg and Victoria as part of PHAC’s national monitoring program called M-Track. 

The results of ManCount will be released during the 6th Annual Gay Men’s Health Summit that runs Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre Campus. The summit is a project of the Community Based Research Centre, the Health Initiative for Men (HIM) and the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is responsible for the delivery of $2.9 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority that provides provincial and national leadership in public health through surveillance, detection, treatment, prevention and consultation services. The centre provides both direct diagnostic and treatment services for people with diseases of public health importance and analytical and policy support to all levels of government and health authorities. BCCDC investigates and evaluates the occurrence of communicable diseases in BC and is the provincial reporting centre for reportable cases and categories of communicable diseases.

The Health Initiative for Men (HIM) engages gay men, the community, health care providers and researchers to strengthen the physical, sexual, social and mental health of gay men.

The B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility and is internationally recognized as an innovative world leader in combating HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Based at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, a teaching hospital of the University of British Columbia, the BC-CfE is dedicated to improving the health of British Columbians with HIV through developing, monitoring and disseminating comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related illnesses.

Funding for this project was provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors/researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Media contact

Vancouver Coastal Health
Trudi Beutel
Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 604-708-5282
Cell: 604-812-1847
Email: Trudi.Beutel@vch.ca