Grant: Master's Award - HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research: General Stream

With over 3000 Black (of African or Caribbean ancestry) residents, the low-income neighbourhood of Jane and Finch is considered one of Toronto's key Black communities. Due to societal patterns and policy decisions that impose negative, oppressive conditions on the inhabitants of Jane and Finch, many members of this community live in poverty. This results in few opportunities for youth to achieve educational, social and economic success. The lack of prospects for decision-making manifests in poor sexual health outcomes for youth in Jane and Finch, who have some of the highest Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) rates in the city of Toronto. The situation is worsened for female youth who develop low self esteem, have sex at earlier ages, and are left socially and economically dependent on their male partners, unable to negotiate safe sex. This puts them at increased risk for unplanned pregnancies, STIs and HIV. Additionally, due to the social unacceptability within the black community of engaging in discussion about sexual health and HIV, alternative strategies are needed to address sexual health promotion and HIV prevention with racialized, young women. In partnership with Northwood Community Centre and the Black Creek Community Health Centre, The Let's Talk About Sex study is a collaborative research study that explores the question: How do young, racialized women negotiate their ability to make decisions about their sexual health in this context of high STI/HIV risk? In an attempt to appeal to the oral, expressive and artistic cultures of racialized communities, this study employs popular education theory and the arts-based approach of photovoice to promote discussion amongst the group of young women. Photovoice is a process where participants take photos of and reflect upon their personal experiences and community issues. Data for analysis will be drawn from the group photovoice project, discussions and post-workshop interviews.