Grant: Operating Grant - HIV/AIDS CBR Program - General

The A/C study is an HIV prevalence study of first and second generation African, Caribbean and Black people living in Toronto and Ottawa. The research study aims to increase core knowledge related to HIV transmission and acquisition among African Canadian communities, and to identify key individual and societal factors that may influence people's possible exposure to HIV. As a community based research (CBR) study the project will contribute to building further CBR capacity in affected communities through the meaningful engagement of academic trainees. The A/C study has established a strong research training and mentoring environment in order to strengthen capacity for HIV/AIDS research and knowledge translation for academic trainees and communities in Ontario. The results of the research study will be shared broadly among African Canadian leaders and communities, and with community-based health agencies whose mission is to serve African Canadian communities. Academic trainees will play an important role in the analysis and dissemination of this information for communities. The results will strengthen the programs and services to promote health among African Canadians, and to help strengthen advocacy and activism related to health and wellbeing among African Canadian communities, and ultimately to help African Canadian communities exercise power and control over their access to health services. The research team will establish a community-based working group to ensure that the data are accessible to community stakeholders to support program development, advocacy and community engagement.