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Context study

Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) rates continued to increase, especially among sub-groups of young men. New STBBI interventions were being designed and launched regularly; however, little data existed on how features of socio-cultural contexts, including shifting patterns, contexts and motivations of substance use, impact young men’s uptake of STBBI interventions. The ‘Context Study’ examined the socio-cultural contexts that affect young men’s sexual decision-making, including if and how they uptake STBBI interventions.

The aims of this study were to:

Analyze the descriptions of young men regarding the connections between their socio-cultural contexts, substance use patterns, their sexual lives and STBBI-related risks.

Examine young men’s evolving perceptions of sex, gender and gendered stereotypes and the influence those conceptions have on their experiences with STBBI and substance use interventions.

Depict the insights of key stakeholders, including policy makers and service providers, regarding the influence of contemporary socio-cultural contexts on evolving STBBI and substance use interventions for young men.

Inform the implementation and scaling up of the three identified STBBI interventions and the ways they adapt to young men’s contemporary socio-cultural contexts.

Heads Together

The Heads Together online survey was a Canada-wide survey that aimed to better understand the needs of LGBTQ2S+ people related to mental health and substance use within the context of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. It was administered by the BC Centre on Substance Use and the University of British Columbia. The survey covered a wide range of topics concerning substance use and mental health among sexual and gender minorities, as well as experiences with health care services. Some questions were about experiences of self-isolation to better understand the impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and gender minority health. The survey data had been used to inform substance use and mental health services for sexual and gender minorities in Canada.

The aims of this study were to:

The purpose of the Heads Together online survey was to examine alcohol use, cannabis use, and mental health among sexual and gender minorities living in Canada within the context of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to use the new information gathered to improve substance use and mental health care for Canadian sexual and gender minorities.