Researchers at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and Oak Tree Clinic are looking for women living with and without HIV to take part in a research study about women’s healthy aging. This study is called the British Columbia CARMA-CHIWOS Collaboration (BCC3).
Our main study inclusion criteria are that:
1) You identify as a woman (cis and trans inclusive)
2) You are at least 16 years of age
3) You are able to attend a study visit at BC Women’s Hospital
4) You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
Participation would include the following:
1) Providing informed, signed consent.
2) Two study visits
The first visit will be in person at BC Women’s Hospital and takes ~2-3 hours. It will include:
- Body measurements: height, weight, blood pressure, and waist circumference.
- Sample collection: blood sample, mouth swab, urine sample, an optional hair sample (for stress test), and an optional rectal swab (for microbiome test). Additional blood testing for hormones is required if you are menstruating and not taking any hormonal contraception.
- Questionnaire, which includes questions on demographics, medical history, reproductive health, and substance use history.
The second visit can be online, on the phone, or in person and takes ~1-2 hours. It will include:
- A continuation of the questionnaire on social determinants of health, violence, sleep, nutrition, etc.
Participants will receive a $90 honorarium that will be split between the study visits as a thank-you for your time and expertise.
If you are interested in joining the study, please check out https://hivhearme.ca/studies/participate/, email us at [email protected], or feel free to give us call at 604-868-5075.
Note: we are currently only conducting visits in Vancouver, but hope to expand to Victoria, Kelowna, and Prince George in the near future. Please give us a call if you would like to be on our contact list!