A new research project examining the incidence of HIV infection
and risk factors in young gay and bisexual men is being launched
by the BC Centre for Excellence and the University of British
Columbia. Under the direction of Dr. Martin Schechter and colleagues,
the new study is expected to provide an accurate picture of infection
rates among this population, still considered to be at high risk
for HIV despite a decade of prevention education efforts. In consultation
with the project's Community Advisory Committee, the new study
has recently been named the Vanguard Project.
"This type of research is vitally important because young men who have sex with men represent the group most at risk for HIV infection in Canada," says Dr. Steffanie Strathdee, Project Manager.
A cohort of 1,000 HIV-negative young men will be recruited to participate in the Vanguard Project. The study is open to all men who have sex with men, whether they define themselves as gay, bisexual or straight. Eligible participants must be between 18 and 30 years of age and live in the Lower Mainland. Participation involves providing a blood sample and completing a self-administered questionnaire on an annual basis. Information gathered on participants will be kept strictly confidential.
The new project is a follow-up to the existing Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS Study (VLAS), the largest and longest-running study of its kind in Canada. The VLAS has followed a cohort of 1,000 gay men since 1982 in a study of the natural history of HIV/AIDS. Recent findings of the VLAS have been presented on the relationships between income, social support and HIV disease progression (Forecast, September 1994).
To participate in the new study or to find out more about it, contact Project Coordinator Steve Martindale (tel: 687-2469; fax: 631-5464; e-mail: stevem@hivnet.ubc.ca).
For more information, contact:
Bonnie Devlin
Vanguard Project Coordinator
608 - 1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
Tel: (604)806-8306
Fax: (604)806-9044