EDUCATION
ADDRESSING THE GAPS
Module 1
Insufficient awareness campaigns lead to limited understanding of HIV and available services. The burden of education often falls on individuals living with HIV, which is not an ideal approach. Tailored and intersectional approaches to HIV education, prevention, support, and current U=U messaging, needs to be more inclusive.
Include everyone in the journey, by developing educational material targeting a variety of demographics:
- Cultural groups
- People who use drugs (PWUD)
- Sex workers
- Heterosexual women and men
Low HIV knowledge is a challenge, particularly among young people and newcomers which presents the need for improved access to information and testing. It is important to collect accurate data for underrepresented populations to inform policies and interventions effectively!
Better dissemination of information on U=U best comes from trusted sources and peer educators for accessing services.
GAPS IN THE JOURNEY
WHAT'S MISSING FROM CURRENT U=U RESOURCES?
- Information in healthcare and educated healthcare providers, resulting in less information being disseminated on HIV support and education
- Culturally and regionally relevant education for diverse communities and professionals (such as healthcare providers, frontline workers, and policy makers)
- Collaborative advocacy (including elders, faith groups, pharmaceutical corporations, healthcare practitioners, and community) to improve message and accessibility
- Education for aging populations living with HIV.
- Resources in multiple Indigenous languages (e.g., Cree, Dene, etc.)
- Resources for people who use drugs (PWUD)
- Resources centered around the experiences of people experiencing houselessness outlining the safety issues around disclosing status making discussions around U=U dangerous
- Comprehensive education and counseling, particularly post-test counseling, regarding HIV (which was noted as crucial for prevention, management, and destigmatization)
- Educational initiatives targeting various groups, including substance users, sex workers, and heterosexual men
- U=U needs to be rebranded/re-packaged for women
- Female centered materials; Education created by women for women
- Need information around chest/breastfeeding and HIV
- Information for African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities (women, men who have sex with men (MSM), newcomers, PWUD)
- More simple terms
- Women have been made to feel “dirty”. Messaging needs to address that
- Ensuring info/messaging does not put women at more risk (for violence, harm)
- Innovative, creative, and accessible messaging methods.
- Detailed information about the HIV cascade and regular testing
- More targeted messaging, particularly towards youth and individuals outside of traditional HIV circles
- Clearer communication (less acronyms and complicated terminology)
- Break out of the “echo chamber” and reach audiences beyond those already familiar with HIV-related terminology
- U=U education addressing/including reducing internalized stigma
- Indigenous women-specific information
- Youth-specific information
- Non-Western language or medical terminology (i.e., “cascade” has no meaning to community, just a reminder of water spilling over, reminding how we fall through the cracks)
THE CARE CASCADE
“Cascade has no meaning to community. It’s a reminder of water spilling over, reminding how we fall through the cracks.”
– Indigenous Communities
A large gap in education includes the use of “Care Cascade” and other medical terms. U=U education shouldn’t be complicated. It should be relatable and involve discussing challenges within the HIV Care Cascade:
- issues with testing
- getting connected with doctors
- staying on medications
- achieving an undetectable status
- gaps in the system
- the need for more continuous, community-based care rather than just medical treatment
“It would be better to promote an Umbrella of Care. That way, everything is balanced. Your physical, your mental, and your social or your religious. “
– ACB Communities 
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WHAT WE HEARD
“Recognize intersecting identities and needs within substance-using communities and the unique challenges faced by individuals engaging in sexualized substance use.”
People Who Use Drugs
“There is a lack of culturally and regionally relevant education both for their communities as well as for professionals (healthcare providers, frontline workers, policy makers).”
All groups
UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN SEXUALIZED SUBSTANCE USE
