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

Incident HIV rates in Manitoba are consistently higher than national averages. Late presentation to care is an alarming reality in Manitoba which means that in addition to the fact that many HIV-positive individuals are unaware of their status, this persists long enough for them to receive a diagnosis only when opportunistic infection is manifested. Over-representation of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis, or Inuit) in the HIV-positive population also remains an important issue for the Manitoba HIV Program. Manitoba has one of the highest proportions of women living with HIV in the country. There is a dramatic lack of resources and HIV-related health services available in rural and remote areas of the province significantly limits access to adequate care for people living with HIV (PLHIV) outside of Winnipeg. The unique epidemiological profile and social organization of HIV in Manitoba calls urgently for the design of evidence-based, tailored programs that can answer the treatment, care and support needs of PLHIV and affected communities. The aim of the proposed multi-site community-based research (CBR) project is to better understand and document the lived experience of PLHIV and affected communities in relations to HIV care, treatment and support in Northern, rural and remote communities in Manitoba. Building on existing partnerships that have recently been strengthened through a two-day CBR capacity-building event, the project will take place in three Northern communities in Manitoba: Thomson, Flin Flon and a Cree Nations Tribal Health community. The specific objectives are to 1) identify the care, treatment and support needs of PLHIV in rural, remote and northern communities, 2) strengthen partnerships, and 3) increase CBR capacity among community members, community organizations and academic institutions. Reciprocal capacity-building between researchers and community members will guide the development of site-specific research strategies.