The CIHR Social Research Centre in HIV Prevention (SRC) DLSPH Annual Report. July 1, 2012 June 30, 2013

Transcription

1 The CIHR Social Research Centre in HIV Prevention (SRC) DLSPH Annual Report July 1, 2012 June 30, 2013

2 Team Members Director: Dr. Liviana Calzavara, Nominated PI and Director of the SRC Principal Investigators: Alix Adrien (Université de Montréal), Liviana Calzavara (University of Toronto), Grace Getty (University of New Brunswick), Gaston Godin (Université Laval), Ted Myers (University of Toronto), Mark Tyndall (University of Ottawa), Catherine Worthington (University of Victoria) Co-Investigators: Dan Allman (University of Toronto), Laura Bisaillon (University of Toronto), Winston Husbands (AIDS Committee of Toronto), Alex Jadad (Centre for Global ehealth, University of Toronto), Carmen Logie (University of Calgary), Mona Loutfy (Women s College Research Institute), Renee Masching (Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network), Peggy Millson (University of Toronto), Eric Mykhalovskiy (York University), San Patten (San Patten and Associates), Robert Remis (University of Toronto), Wangari Tharao (Women s Health in Women s Hands) Collaborators: Jessica Cattaneo (ACT), Eve Cheuk (NCCID), Laurie Edmiston (CATIE), Vivek Goel (OAHPP), Ken Clement (CAAN), Notisha Massaquoi (WHWH), Frank McGee (AIDS Bureau), Doris (Doe) O Brien Teengs (OAHAS), Johnmark Opondo (Urban Public Health Network), Valerie Pierre-Pierre (ACCHO), Monique Doolittle- Romas (CAS), Ross Upshur (Joint Centre for Bioethics) Centre Funding Grant Name: Centres for Population Health and Health Services Research Development in HIV/AIDS Funding Agency: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Period of Funding: 5 years (June 2009 June 2014) Total Dollars: $2.5 million ($500,000/year) About the SRC The CIHR Social Research Centre in HIV Prevention (SRC) is a Canadian interdisciplinary network of social researchers, community leaders, public health practitioners and policy makers committed to advancing HIV prevention efforts through novel approaches to social science research, capacity building and knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE). Created in June 2009 with financial support from CIHR, the SRC responds to the need for leadership in developing integrated programs of prevention research, capacity building and knowledge translation, aimed at improving services, increasing resilience, decreasing vulnerability to HIV, and ultimately reducing HIV transmission. Our Vision To reduce HIV transmission amongst people who are vulnerable and/or marginalized and improve the quality of life of those living with HIV by addressing the root causes of vulnerability, and acting on the social determinants of health Our Mission To advance HIV prevention efforts through novel approaches to social science research, capacity building and knowledge transfer and exchange As the epidemic continues and new issues and vulnerable populations emerge, longer-term goals with multilevel interventions grounded in increased understanding of social and cultural driving forces are required. Through strong multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaborations, through capacity building and KTE activities with policy and community partners, the SRC develops multi-site, theoretically and methodologically novel approaches to HIV prevention and intervention research, supports promising trainees/students and attracts new researchers to the field. Our working model ensures KTE across research, program and policy domains. For more detailed information about the SRC, our projects and publications, please visit our website:

3 Progress Funded Research Grants Overall, the SRC has been involved in 50 peer-reviewed research grants including 31 investigator-led and 19 student-led grants. There are currently 26 investigator-led grants (20 new, 6 existing) and 15 student-led grants (13 new, 2 existing). Please refer to Appendix A for a listing of the current SRC research projects. Publications The SRC has produced over 35 publications (26 in the past year) in high impact, peer-reviewed journals and anticipates an increase in publications over the next year as data analysis continues on a number of ongoing research projects. In addition, the SRC has produced a number of non-peer reviewed publications such as research and technical reports, synthesis papers and book chapters that target front-line health/service providers and policy makers. For a representative sample of SRC publications over the last year please refer to Appendix B. SRC Student Engagement and Funding Since the start of the Centre more than 35 graduate students, post-doctoral students, community members and visiting scholars have been involved with the SRC through the Student Trainee Award Program, research assistantships, practicum placements or as post-doctoral students and visiting scholars. To date, 19 graduate and post-doctoral level research projects that span across Canada have been funded through the SRC s Student Trainee Awards Program. In the past year, 12 Student Trainee Awards have been awarded, three of which were the LaVerne Monette Award for research involving Aboriginal health and HIV. Please refer to Appendix A for a list of current student-led projects at the SRC. The SRC has engaged 16 students through practicum placements, research assistantships and post-doctoral placements, 13 of which became involved or continued their involvement through the past year. In addition to supporting local and Canadian scholars, the SRC has hosted a number of visiting international scholars from China and the UK. Students Involved with the SRC: Alanna Mihic, Amrita Daftary, Anita Benoit, Bernice Yanful, Carmen Logie, Carmen Plante, Christine Smillie, Ciann Wilson, Dario Kuzmanovic, David Lewis-Peart, Earl Nowgesic, Eli Manning, Fiona Kouyoumdjian, Jamie Reschny, Jenny Rand, Jessica Whitbread, Jill Morse, Clarissa Perks, Joel Pidutti, Joshua Mendelsohn, Kate McBride, Laura White, Marcella Jones, Marianne Beaulieu, Matthew Numer, Negar Chavoshi, Nicole Findlay, Nicole Greenspan, Patrick Brownlee, Samantha White, Sanjana Mitra, Sarah Jane Steele, Sera Weafer- Schiarizza, Sherri Pooyak, Tamara Landry, Wesley Oakes. Course Development In 2011 the SRC developed the undergraduate course, PHS300H HIV Prevention Research. This course examines the why and how of HIV prevention research across the full spectrum of types of prevention/intervention sciences, including basic science, clinical science, epidemiology, behavioural and social sciences, legal and policy measures, and economic analysis. It was developed by Liviana Calzavara and Peggy Millson and has todate been offered twice at the University of Toronto taught by Liviana Calzavara and Peggy Millson (2012) and Dan Allman (2013).

4 SRC Social Drivers Speaker Series The speaker series has to-date brought nine international HIV prevention experts to Canada (three in the reporting period) to broaden Canadian theoretical and methodological knowledge. These speakers are international leaders in research, social theory and HIV/public health. The open discourse continues to challenge people to think beyond our known horizons. Speakers are chosen to present on an area that is little known in Canada and promote discussion among team members and beyond. Please visit the SRC website for speaker biographies and to view the online videos. International Speakers: Peter Aggleton (University of Sussex), Mary Crewe (University of Pretoria), Catherine Dodds (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), Judy Auerbach (San Francisco AIDS Foundation), Pastor Edwin Clifton Sanders (Metropolitan Interdenominational Church), Susan Kippax (University of New South Wales), Joanne Csete (Open Society), Kane Race (University of Sydney), Justin Parkhurst (STRIVE, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine). Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) and Capacity Building The SRC provides funding and in-kind support for project KTE activities by our students and team members. Examples of in-kind support from the past year have included live webcasting of events (National Attitudinal Survey webinar to disseminate results), forums and workshops (two day Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure Workshop), producing dissemination materials such as infographics and reports (National Attitudinal Survey), and mentoring and training on KTE tools and strategies (CAHR New Researcher Workshop 2013). Significance and Impact The SRC offers an important contribution to Canada s response to HIV by focusing specifically on the social and structural drivers of HIV (commonly referred to as the social determinants of health) and how these factors influence the underlying root causes of HIV vulnerability, risk, and resiliency. This area of inquiry is of vital importance to research and action that will improve prevention efforts and ultimately reduce the impact of HIV, particularly among groups closest to the epidemic. The SRC has established a unique research agenda that is rolled out through individual research studies and larger programs of research, through public forums that are designed to stimulate critical thought and discussion within Canada s research community, and through new local, national and international research partnerships and collaborations. Many of these mechanisms and national and international collaborations have contributed not only to the advancement of research at the SRC but also to the development of successful research protocols at partner organizations involved with and/or external to the Centre. Further, they have powered research process innovations, and have kindled the SRC, as well as partner Figure 1: SRC Impact on Canada s Research Community Source: Compiled from the CIHR external evaluation survey among SRC researcher/collaborator/knowledge users, 2012.

5 organizations, to identify opportunities that allow for these important, complex and often sensitive dialogues to continue. In 2012, an online survey of SRC members and learners was conducted by an external evaluator as part of the CIHR mid-term evaluation process. Respondents indicated that the SRC has had a significant impact on HIV research in Canada. (Figure 1) This is illustrated in terms of the SRC s contributions towards a shared sense of cohesion and shared purpose (mean score = 4.0 out of possible 5), and its role in affecting a more nationally coordinated research community (mean score = 4.1 of a possible 5). Research productivity has also increased among a Figure 2: Impact of Collaboration on Research Productivity of SRC Investigators sample of SRC principal and co-investigators, demonstrating the positive impact of increased levels of collaboration on research productivity among SRC members. Figure 2 illustrates the number of new, continuing and total grants held by a sample of SRC principal and coinvestigators. By 2011, the mean number of grants had risen from 5.7 in 2008 to 8.1 per investigator. Removing any duplication, the total number of new Source: Calculated from Principal and Co-Investigator CVs (excludes new members) unique and continuing grants held by investigators (n=16) peaked in 2011 at 100 projects. Plans for the next year The SRC will continue to explore emerging research themes/topics over the coming year including: the medicalization of prevention and the role of social-structural factors in HIV prevention; new turns in Canadian drug policy and implications for HIV prevention and public health efforts across communities in Canada; HIV and mental health; and HIV serodiscordant relationships. The SRC research agenda remains highly responsive to emerging issues and is a continued focal point for discussion during annual team gatherings, advisory committee meetings, and SRC review committees. As we move into our last year of funding, efforts will be focused on completing current funded projects, continued funding support for students, applying for additional research grants, and broadly disseminating research results through innovative knowledge translation efforts. Projects being planned in this final year include a webinar series focused on the social determinants of health, a symposium to showcase the research of the SRC and a series of whiteboard videos to tell the story of the SRC and our research projects. The next call for CIHR centre funding is expected to take place in the summer of 2013.

6 Appendix A Currently Funded Research Current Investigator-Led Projects Visualizing Survey Data: Disseminating Results from a Population Health Survey on HIV and AIDS in Canada. Harm Reduction or Risk Production?: Exploring Red Zones in Ottawa s Byward Market. Migration on and off reserve: a social driver of risk/resiliency for HIV and HCV, or a determinant of health among Mi kmaq people in New Brunswick? CBR and Ethics of Research Creating Community Products to Promote Ethical Research Practices with People who Use Illicit Drugs (PWUIDs). Positive Sex: An Innovative Approach To Disclosure In Practice And In Consequence. Pilot-testing a group-level intervention to reduce risk for sexual transmission of HIV/STIs among LBGTQ women in Calgary and Toronto. A National Research Needs and Assets Assessment for HIV Prevention among Gay and other MSM in Canada. Sharing the Lay of the Land: Developing an APHA Leadership Intervention Initiative (SLL:DALII). The Resonance Project - Emerging Biomedical Discourses and Decisions within Gay Men s Knowledge Networks. Refining the Research Response: An Aboriginal HIV & AIDS Research Strategy for Canada. Social and ethical challenges to HIV and tuberculosis health care: Expanding the discourse on integration via roundtable discussion at the 6 th South African AIDS Conference. Community Engagement and Ownership in Establishing the Ottawa Cohort Study. Phase 1: Systematic Review to Support Development of an Intervention to Reduce Stigma Experienced by HIV-Positive Diasporic Black, African, Caribbean and Canadian Women in Canada. Promising HIV Prevention Programs and Interventions for Rural and Remote Regions in Canada: Services Scoping. Understanding the dynamics of HIV serodiscordant relationships in the Canadian social-structural context: Protocol development phase. Determining the components of a trauma-informed intervention to improve the mental well-being of IRN PHAs. HIV Prevention and the Criminal Law: An International Research Workshop on the Public Health Impact of Criminalizing HIV Exposure/Transmission. Development of a study to examine patterns of HIV infection among persons in Ontario from sub- Saharan Africa and the Caribbean following their arrival to Canada. Aboriginal HIV & AIDS (AHA) Community-Based Research Centre. Decolonizing, Indigenous and African Diaspora Methodologies: Developing New Ways of Working Together in HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research. Drawing Lessons from the Knowledge and Experiences of the Canada-China Project to Inform Policies and Priorities of Canadian Funding Bodies. Interdisciplinary HIV pregnancy research group: Care and research to optimize HIV-positive women's health during preconception, pregnancy and motherhood. Public attitudes, knowledge and perceptions of HIV and AIDS in Canada: A population study A consultation with ACB leaders in the GTA: Towards developing and testing an intervention to reduce stigma among faith communities. ispeak: Exploring the HIV related perspectives, needs and challenges of African, Caribbean and Black men (ACB) in Ontario. Engaging the 21st century moccasin telegraph: Using cyberspace to CAAN s advantage (CAAN-led project).

7 Current Student-Led Projects Tea Time as Participatory Research: Mapping Informal Networks of Women Living with HIV. Understanding Stress As a Social Indicator for the Lived Experiences of Aboriginal Women and a Biological Indicator for the Physiological Impact of Stress on HIV Pathogenesis. Access to, acceptance of and adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy among Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan. From Non-Compliant Patient to the Unsuppressed: Tracing Shifts of HIV Medication Non-Adherence in Categories of PHAs. A Case Study of the Involvement of CBOs in delivering primary health care services in addressing HIV/AIDS in northern B.C. Building Community-Based HIV and STI Prevention Programs on the Tundra: Drawing on Inuit Women s Strengths and Resiliencies. STI risk factors among Aboriginal youth that increase the susceptibility to contracting HIV. Summarizing the Sexual Health of Aboriginal People with FASD. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Policies in Canada. Community-based Participatory Research: Stories of Strength and Sexual Health on the Tundra. Stigmatisation des PVVIH: Partage et échange de connaissances. Health Promotion and Barebacking: A Discourse Analysis of Community Activists Perspectives on HIV Prevention. Frontline Measures. Sexual health matters: Concerns of HIV+ youth. A systematic review of the relationships between HIV/AIDS and violence.

8 Appendix B Representative Publications Allman D., Calzavara L.M., Kang L., Myers T., and the Canada-China Project Study Team (In Press). Innovation, research capacity-building and applied learning: The Canada-China Project for vulnerable populations at risk for HIV and STI in Shanghai, China. Forthcoming chapter in: Case Study: Documenting Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Across 14 Teasdale Corti (TC) Team Grants, edited by Nancy Edwards, Dan Kaseje and Eulalia Kahwa. Allman D., Myers T., Xu, K. and S. J. Taleski (2012). The social technographics of men who have sex with men: Implications for HIV prevention research, education and outreach. Digital Culture & Education, 4: Cai X., Yang M., Liu Y., Ning Z., Steel S.J., Myers T. (2012). Study on health and behaviors of male sex workers in Shanghai. Journal of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, 29 (4): Chen H., Xu L., Ren J., Fang H., Yang M., Wang H., Kang L., Calzavara L. Study of features of sexual behaviors and condom use among male construction workers in the urban areas of Shanghai. Chinese Journal of AIDS and STI, Nov 26, 2012; 18(11): Daftary A. and Padayatchi N. (2012). Social constraints to TB/HIV healthcare: Accounts from coinfected patients in South Africa. AIDS Care: Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV, DOI: / Daftary A. (2012). HIV and tuberculosis: the construction and management of double stigma. Social Science & Medicine, 74: Guo Z., Wu Z., Liu X., Wang N., Zhang Y., Shi M., Yin L., Liu J., Remis R.S., Zhuang M. (2012). Survey on female entertainment workers and safe sexual behaviors. Journal of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, 28(11): James C.A., Schwartz D.R., Roberts K.E., Hart T.A., Loutfy M.R., Myers T., & Calzavara L. (2012) Childhood emotional abuse and psychological distress in gay and bisexual men. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma. (In Press). Koyoumdjian F.G., Calzavara L.M., Bondy S.J., O'Campo P., Serwadda D., Nalugoda F., Kagaayi J., Kigozi G., Wawer M. and Gray R. Intimate Partner Violence is Associated with Incident HIV Infection in Women in Uganda. AIDS, 27: 2013, Koyoumdjian F.G., Calzavara L.M., Bondy S.J., O'Campo P., Serwadda D., Nalugoda F., Kagaayi J., Kigozi G., Wawer M. and Gray R. (2013). Risk factors for intimate partner violence in women in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, Uganda, from 2000 to BMC Public Health 2013, 13:566 doi: /