Grant: Project Grant

Racial minority and newcomer groups bear big burdens of HIV in Canada due to systemic barriers to social, economic, and health resources. Further, HIV stigma intersects with racism and other prejudices to deter racial minority groups from seeking prevention, testing, treatment and support. HIV stigma also reinforces silence and denial in the affected communities. This study builds on evidence of effective anti-stigma training tested across Canada. It aims to evaluate the efficacy, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness of the Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment (ACE) model, delivered as in-person or online training, in reducing stigma and promoting community resilience. The project will recruit and engage 90 service providers/community leaders, and 432 service users and community members in the ACE training to reduce HIV stigma in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton) and Ontario (Durham, London, Niagara, Ottawa). The project team will: (1) examine how internalized and enacted stigmas affect current community HIV responses; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the in-person and online ACE intervention in reducing HIV and related stigma; (3) identify facilitators and barriers to adopting ACE and stigma reduction into sustainable programs and services; and (4) compare the cost effectiveness of the two modes of ACE training. Results of this study will inform policy and practice change to reduce HIV stigma and promote community resilience.