(Vancouver) A new research project examining the incidence of HIV infection in young gay and bisexual men will be launched next week by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
A cohort of 1000 young men from throughout the Lower Mainland will be recruited to participate in the Vanguard Project. Under the direction of Dr. Martin Schechter and colleagues, the 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.
"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.
The launch will be held on Wednesday, May 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at Spuntino Bakery & Caffe at 1103 Davie Street (at the corner of Thurlow). This event will feature the unveiling of the recruitment campaign designed to encourage men to join the study. These print materials include posters, postcards, greeting cards and condom packages, all of which feature the colourful artwork of Vancouver artist John Ferrie. The artist will be available to sign posters at the launch.
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 the ages of 18 and 30 and live in the Lower Mainland. Participation in the study involves providing a blood sample and completing a self-administered questionnaire on an annual basis over the course of the next three years. Information gathered on participants will be kept strictly confidential.
The Vanguard Project is a follow-up to the existing Vancouver Lympadenopathy-AIDS Study (VLAS), the largest and longest-running study of its kind in Canada. The VLAS has followed a cohort of 1000 gay men since 1982 in a study of the natural history of HIV/AIDS.
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS is a joint activity funded by the BC Ministry of Health which operates as a program of St. Paul's Hospital. The Vanguard Project is funded by a grant from the National Health Research & Development Program, Health Canada.
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