Grant: New Investigator Award-PA:Ontario HIV Treatment Network-Health Serv/ Pop Health

Over the past ten years, there has been an increase in the number of women, straight men and immigrants originally from Africa and the Caribbean living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Canada. However, despite the increased representation of these individuals among the population of persons living with HIV, very little is known about the health of these patients and whether the existing network of health and social support services for persons living with HIV adequately meets their needs. Therefore, the aim of this program of research is to use information obtained from various sources, including large health databases, surveys and focus groups, to learn about the health and patterns of health and social support use of women, straight men and immigrants from African and the Caribbean living with HIV. The specific projects which make up the program of research include 1) a project looking at various aspects of the health and prenatal care of HIV-infected women and their babies; 2) a project looking at changes in the health of HIV-infected persons originally from Africa and the Caribbean following their arrival in Canada, and the factors that influence these changes and 3) a national survey to identify patterns and barriers in the use of health and support services by heterosexual men with HIV, and the influence of health and support service use on the various aspects of the health of these men. All of these projects build on the PhD work conducted by the applicant and the collaborations he has forged with other scientists across the country, community members living with HIV and the staff of AIDS service organizations who provide care to these patients. The results of this program of research will be of relevance and interest to clinicians, policy makers and researchers who are involved in the funding, provision and evaluation of HIV-related services, and will improve the health of Canadians living with HIV.