Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

The goal of this project is to conduct a series of studies to refine, test, and understand experiences with a peer-led community-based intervention in which youth will be integrated into health care teams and trained to deliver HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to their peers. The study team will conduct a randomized trial to determine if peer delivery of PrEP to youth aged 15-24 in Brazil will increase PrEP uptake, persistence, and adherence compared to standard PrEP care provided in health facilities.

This study s objective is to test the acceptability and feasibility of a guide to facilitate counseling about HIV prevention, focusing on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a medication taken by HIV-negative persons to avoid an HIV infection. Healthcare providers (including but not limited to physicians and nurses) who see gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) will be randomly assigned to completing a short online training versus continuing their usual activities. The online training consists of modules containing brief information about PrEP, and about how to address concerns and difficulties that GBM face to get PrEP and to take care of their sexual health. The investigators will ask healthcare providers to answer questionnaires before and after the research activities take place, and a member of the research team will interview some of them at the end. Every time a healthcare provider has a counseling session with a GBM, they will facilitate putting a research coordinator in touch with the person receiving the counseling. Those GBM will also be asked to fill out questionnaires. These activities will take place in the province of Ontario, Canada.