Grant: Project Grant - Priority Announcement: HIV/AIDS and STBBI

Manitoba (MB) and Saskatchewan (SK), saw the highest numbers of new HIV infections ever in 2021, while simultaneously experiencing decreasing linkage to care and decreasing viral suppression. In Canada, a quarter of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are women, half are gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), a third are heterosexual and 19% inject drugs. A recent study from our group found that half of PLHIV newly diagnosed in Manitoba in 2021 were women, 80% were heterosexual, 80% inject drugs, half were experiencing homelessness and 8% were gbMSM. The most commonly injected drug is methamphetamine (meth). Among PLHIV who inject drugs (PLHIV-WID), two out of three persons have at least one and up to seven concurrent sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) and four out of 10 persons were not taking HIV treatment. Our findings suggest PLHIV in MB and SK are experiencing a confluence of STBBI, injection drug use, unstable housing and violence. In PLHIV, meth use has been linked to poor adherence to HIV treatment and rapid disease progression. We aim to understand: 1)How many PLHIV may have concurrent STBBI 2)The knowledge, attitudes and practices that women, men and gender-diverse PLHIV-WID, and health care providers have about STBBI prevention, testing and treatment. Also what other social and individuals factors influence their knowledge, attitudes and practices 3)The effect on our body of having an STBBI and use of meth use 4)Pathways to effective, meaningful knowledge sharing about HIV and STBBI among PLHIV, service providers and communities These results are essential for health providers, policymakers and community stakeholders to design educational and programmatic strategies, and inform policy changes at multiple levels, to prevent STBBI and improve the health of PLHIV.