A Randomized Trial of Doxycycline Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men (gbMSM)
There is a growing epidemic of the bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea worldwide; similarly concerning trends have been noted in Canada, where increases of over 160% have been seen in bacterial STIs over the last decade. In Canada, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) - including those living with HIV - are disproportionately impacted by bacterial STIs5,6These dramatic increases in bacterial STIs, the potential development of serious complications including AMR, and waning effectiveness of the promotion of conventional STI prevention tools (e.g. condoms), signals the need for novel STI prevention strategies and tools to mitigate STI-related complications. A rigorous randomized controlled trial will be conducted to compare STI PrEP vs. STI PEP and definitively assess the efficacy, safety, antimicrobial resistance profiles and costs associated with doxycycline-based STI prevention.
• Males, ≥ 18 years of age;
• Any sexual activity (i.e. oral sex, insertive or receptive anal sex, with or without a condom) with more than one male partner in the preceding 12 months;
• Intention to remain sexually active with more than one male partner in the next 12 months;
• At least one prior episode of a previously diagnosed and adequately treated syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia infection within 12 months prior to screening.