Sexual and gender minority populations experience adverse social determinants of health that increase their vulnerability amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, public health responses operate from mainstream perspectives that fail to account for marginalization. We developed a theory-informed, peer-delivered eHealth intervention based on motivational interviewing and psychoeducation to reduce depression and anxiety and increase COVID-19 knowledge and protective behaviors among LGBTQ+ adults in Toronto. We used a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design, with generalized estimating equations and zero-truncated Poisson models to evaluate the effectiveness of the 3-session intervention on the four primary outcomes. Among participants (n=202; median age, 27 years [IQR 23-32]) enrolled from March to November 2021, the intervention led to statistically significant reductions in the prevalence of clinically significant depressive and anxiety symptoms and increases in Covid-19 protective behaviors from baseline to postintervention. Implementation through community-based organizations by peer educators supports feasibility, acceptability, and the potential for scale-up in future waves of Covid-19 or other public health emergencies.

Speaker

Peter A. Newman, PhD, Professor

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

Faculty Associate, Joint Centre for Bioethics

Ph.D., Social Work & Psychology, University of Michigan

Moderator

Yu-Te Huang, PhD, Assistant Professor

Department of Social Work and Social Administration

The University of Hong Kong

Date and Time:

8th March, 2023 (Wednesday) / 12:30pm – 1:30pm

Location:

In Person: CJT532, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU / Online: Zoom

Registration:

https://bit.ly/3Y7vFkl

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Leo Chow by email at?leochow9@connect.hku.hk?or by phone at 59707749.