By Sarah Bonato, Reference/Research Librarian, CAMH Library
The 2018 World AIDS Day theme encourages everyone to know their HIV status. An estimated 14 percent of people with HIV in Canada are unaware they have the virus and the number of new HIV infections in Canada has increased over the past few years.
See below for a selection of research on how to increase HIV testing in Canada.
(Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, Summary: Estimates of HIV Incidence, Prevalence and Canada’s Progress on Meeting the 90-90-90 HIV targets, 2016. Public Health Agency of Canada, 2018. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/summary-estimates-hiv-incidence-prevalence-canadas-progress-90-90-90.html.)
Rapid Response: Effectiveness of HIV Testing Interventions for High-Risk Populations (2013)
From the Ontario HIV Treatment Network
- This rapid review summarizes the research on how to increase the uptake of HIV testing in at risk populations. Discusses the evidence base for using service-delivery and community lead interventions to increase HIV testing rates. This rapid review is especially helpful for reading about research on community lead interventions, such as peer education/recruitment and web-based campaigns. An extremely valuable source for understanding the efficacy and impact of specific interventions.
Access at https://www.ohtn.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RR71-2013-Testing-Interventions.pdf
Ending the HIV Epidemic in Canada in Five Years: It’s Time to Act (2018)
From CANFAR
- This report is the result of a collaboration among doctors, scientists, public health experts and people with lived experience with HIV. Outlines five goals for ending the HIV epidemic, Goal II specially discussing the importance of increasing access to HIV testing. Proposed solutions to increase the availability of testing include using culturally appropriate social media strategies to communicate the benefits of HIV testing, and providing point of care HIV testing.
Access at https://canfar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ending-HIV-In-Canada-Aug-15.pdf
Know Your Status: A Toolkit for HIV Programs in Saskatchewan First Nations
Developed by the Big River First Nation Health Centre, and adopted by the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, and the STC SHARP program
- The community-led Know Your Status HIV programs have increased awareness and decreased stigma in Saskatchewan First Nation populations. The Know Your Status HIV program is just not about HIV testing—it is also about education, harm reduction, treatment and support for those who are HIV positive. The tool kit has info on many topics, such as community engagement, harm reduction, understanding HIV treatment, and prevention, but the Checklist for Communities to Use Before Initiating HIV Testing may be especially helpful for outlining the components the should be considered before beginning an community-based HIV testing program. The checklist is located in Appendix A.
Access at https://knowyourstatus.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tool-Kit.pdf
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