A group-based HIV and sexually transmitted infections prevention intervention for lesbian, bisexual, queer and other women who have sex with women in Calgary and Toronto, Canada: study protocol for a non-randomised cohort pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The limited research that exists suggests that lesbian, bisexual queer (LBQ) and other women who have sex with women are at similar risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI) as heterosexual women. However, scant research has evaluated HIV and STI prevention strategies for LBQ women. The authors present the rationale and study protocol for developing and pilot testing a psychoeducational group-based HIV and STI prevention intervention with LBQ women in Calgary and Toronto, Canada.


METHODS
This is a multicentre non-randomised cohort pilot study. The target population is LBQ women in Calgary and Toronto, Canada. The authors aim to recruit 40 participants using purposive peer-driven recruitment methods. Participants will conduct a pretest followed by a 2-day group programme of six 2 h sessions addressing stigma, STI and HIV prevention, healthy relationships, safer sex self-efficacy, self-worth, social support and LBQ community engagement. Participants will conduct a post-test directly following the intervention and 6 weeks after the intervention. The primary outcome is safer sex practices; our prespecified index of clinically significant change is an effect size of 0.50. Secondary outcomes include: safer sex self-efficacy, STI testing frequency, STI knowledge, resilient coping, social support, sexual stigma, access to care, depression and self-esteem. We will conduct mixed-effects regression to calculate mean outcome pre-post test score change.


BACKGROUND
Research ethics approval was attained from the Office of Research Ethics (REB: 29291), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Trial results will be published according to the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomised Designs (TREND) statement, regardless of the outcomes.


BACKGROUND
This study is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov, registration number NCT02067845.
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Carmen H
CH
Logie
Daniela
D
Navia
Marie-Jolie
MJ
Rwigema
Wangari
W
Tharao
David
D
Este
Mona R
MR
Loutfy
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D021841:Safe Sex; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support
Education & Training (see Medical Education & Training); Public Health