Grant: Operating Grant - HIV/AIDS CBR Program - General

Gay, bisexual and queer men (GBQM) are at high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) and a growing body of research links HIV/STBBIs risk behaviours within this population to sexualized substance use a practice known as "Chemsex". While research in this area has predominantly focused on establishing the connections between substance use and sexual health-related outcomes, the literature focused on the perspectives of GBQM on their chemsex experiences is limited. The proposed project explores a novel community-based research approach centered around the production of podcasts by community members to share their perspectives and experiences with chemsex. During this 3-year project, we will invite 90 GBQM with diverse experiences and social positions to participate in podcasting workshops and to produce podcasts about their experience with chemsex, including their motivations, the meaning given to their chemsex experiences, and their thoughts about the best strategies to minimize harms associated with chemsex. The podcasts will be analyzed with stakeholders and community members using a participatory analysis approach named DEPICT. We will also evaluate the use of podcasting as an approach in HIV community-based research by collecting participants' feedback, impressions and suggestions on the podcasting workshops. Finally, the podcasts will be shared through listening parties and online with GBQM and other stakeholders to spark dialogues about chemsex and to inform the development of interventions to address harm reductions and HIV/STBBIs prevention among when who engage in chemsex.