Grant: Catalyst Grant: HIV/AIDS CBR Program - General Stream

The main purpose of this project is to facilitate and strengthen the relationship between the University of Manitoba, community organizations, and a specific sector of the population. We hope to build this relationship through the development of a comprehensive proposal and piloting the research project. Peer delivery of prevention information on sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) within and between drug using networks is considered best practice for engaging, educating, and treating this particular sector. Most research to date involves formal sources of information delivered by peers, which includes recruiting, training, and supporting peer leaders in delivering STBBI prevention education within their networks. Research exploring the informal delivery of information is limited and sparse. Researchers have found that friends, acquaintances, partners, club buddies, and dealers can all be sources of informal information. Further research is needed to understand the how, where, and why information is passed from peer to peer within social networks. The community based research project that we are proposing will explore the informal delivery of STBBI prevention education by peers and expand on the current body of research. Members of the 595 Peer Working Group (595PWG) (a network of community members providing direction to the organization) will be recruited to participate in the project through one or more interviews. A total of 30 face to face interviews will be conducted, including one time only or up to three times. This process will allow us to get a closer proximity to more immediate communication activities undertaken by the participants. Data will be analyzed in close collaboration between all members of the research team.