P276 A national action plan to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV in canada. (14th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaida, Angela; Conway, Tracey; Tharao, Wangari; Masching, Renee; Danforth, Jessica; Pick, Neora; Nicholson, Valerie; Beaver, Kerrigan; Godoy, Sandra; Gormley, Rebecca; Kazemi, Mina; Watt, Sarah; May, Ados; Loutfy, Mona; Narasimhan, Manjulaa
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 95(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A159
• Page End: A159
• Publication Date: 2019-07-14
• Subjects: policy & community engagement; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.401
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Action on the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Consolidated Guideline on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Women Living with HIV (WLWH) recommendations requires evidence-based, equity-oriented, and regionally-specific strategies which are responsive to the priorities and rights of WLWH. Methods: In 2017/18, a team of leading Canadian women's HIV community, research, and service organizations partnered with WHO to convene a webinar series to: define WLWH's SRHR priorities in Canada; disseminate Canadian research and best practices; and highlight the importance of meaningfully engaging WLWH. Webinar topics included: Trauma- and violence-aware practice; Supporting safer HIV disclosure; Reproductive health, rights, and justice; and Resilience, self-efficacy, and peer support (>1, 100 webinar views). Subsequent in-person and online consultation with >130 key stakeholders identified priorities for a National Action Plan to advance the SRHR of WLWH in Canada. Results: Identified priorities to support SRHR across priority topics focused on transforming enabling environments include: Incorporate Truth and Reconciliation calls-to-action for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples; Support WLWH's leadership through equitable, adequately compensated opportunities; Embed peer support and leadership throughout services for WLWH; Prioritize women-centred care in service/program delivery, attending to women's diverse priorities, experiences, and identities; Use inclusive, respectful language to avoid reproducing stigma, discrimination, and marginalization; Strengthen and expand support for WLWH's extended networks (e.g. parental support); Implement trauma- and violence-aware practices to ensure safer healthcare spaces; Improve Knowledge Translation & Exchange initiatives. Additional topic-specific key messages were identified to inform a National Action Plan. Conclusion: Guided by community engagement, recommendations from the National Action Plan encourage Canada to demonstrate global leadership in advancing SRHR of WLWH by emphasizing the need to create enabling environments for health and healthcare. Implementing the plan is being pursued through planned consultations with provincial and national government representatives and policy-makers. Disclosure: No significant relationships.