Current research on the criminalization of HIV and

women:

CHIWOS & WATCH

Valerie NicholsonPeer Research Associate (PRA) with CHIWOS; Principal

Knowledge User with WATCH; Board Chair of Positive Living BC.

Sophie PattersonPhD Candidate, Faculty of Health Sciences, SFU,

Co-Investigator CHIWOS and WATCH

on behalf of the CHIWOS and WATCH Research Teams

Research Roundtable, Vancouver, BC. 23rd October 2015

We acknowledge that we are on the Unceded Territories of the Cedar

Coast Salish, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh

Acknowledgments

• Women living with HIV who participate in CHIWOS and WATCH

• Peer Research Associates (PRAs)• National CHIWOS study team• National WATCH study team• Members of the national Steering

Committee, three provincial Community Advisory Boards, and the CHIWOS Aboriginal Advisory Board – Positive Aboriginal Women (CAAB-PAW)

• Community and clinic partners, AIDS Service Organizations, Community-based organizations

• Our funders: CIHR, the CTN, and OHTN

Community

Community and the Criminalization of HIV non-

disclosure.

Criminalization affects perceptions of safety, trust and confidentiality.

Cone of silence.

Promoting Trust in the Community

PLBC has procedures in place to protect members’ confidential information

HIV criminalization identified as a priority concern among participants

CHIWOS has established trust with the HIV community

Community-driven research

Community – Academic Partnerships

Co-developed questions for the CHIWOS 18-month follow-up survey (Wave 2 survey)

Pertinent information about HIV disclosure and the law provided to participants

Question selection was community-driven and evidence-based

Knowledge sharing

A multi-site, community-based, cohort study Enrolled 1,427 women living with HIV from BC,

ON & QC Study goals: To assess barriers and facilitators

to use of women-centred HIV care, and the impact on sexual, reproductive, mental and women’s health outcomes

Methods: PRA-administered web-based survey at baseline with 18 month follow-up (Wave 2 data collection currently underway)

1,427

• 238 women have completed Wave 2

•  79% aware of 2012 Supreme Court Ruling on HIV non-disclosure

• 45% self-reported an understanding of the case law that was consistent with the definition provided.

Preliminary findings:

Sources of information accessed on HIV and the law among women reporting awareness of the law (n=180):

•47% reported that no healthcare providers had talked to them about HIV disclosure and the law.

Preliminary findings:

• 32% knew someone who had been charged/ threatened with a charge.

• 50% participants believed that HIV disclosure laws are harmful to women living with HIV.

Preliminary findings:

Qualitative research

Women And The

Criminalization of HIV

• Will explore how the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure affects the lives of women living with HIV across Canada.

• Uses community-based, arts-based research methods.

• Body mapping with WLWH in BC, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

WATCH

Body Mapping

Any Questions?

COMMUNITYCHIWOS

TRUSTWATCH