GPS is a peer-delivered sexual health promotion and HIV prevention counselling program. The GPS program has 4 components: information provision regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections,
motivational interviewing counselling, sexual health behavioural skills building, and linkage to care. This adaptation grant has three goals:
(1) establish a multi-region and multisectoral team that can deliver the revised program across a variety of settings
(2) learn how to adapt and deliver GPS as an individual program and for HIV-negative as well as HIV-positive gay, bisexual, queer, two-spirit, and other men who have sex with men
(3) to pilot the individual program in 5 settings.
We conducted qualitative interviews and focus groups with community members and service providers in 4 cities across Canada in which we elicited feedback on the feasibility and sustainability of the adapted program, invited reflections on the strengths and limitations of the program, and received input on ways to improve the adapted program and overcome limitations.
The adapted individual program will be piloted at the Heath Initiative for Men in Vancouver, the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection in London, the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and MAX Ottawa, Gay Zone, and the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa.