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Population-Specific HIV/AIDS Status Reports - Fact Sheet
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People from Countries where HIV is Endemic – Black People of African and Caribbean Descent Living in Canada
Information Summary
Why focus on this population?
People from countries where HIV is endemic are a key population identifi ed in The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. This population is mainly composed of Black people of African and Caribbean descent living in Canada. Epidemiological data, program reviews and evaluations suggest that this population is particularly affected by HIV/AIDS in Canada.
Why this report?
The status report presents Canadian information on the demographic profi le of this population; ways it is affected by HIV; factors that increase its vulnerability to HIV; and an outline on current research and response initiatives.
Who should read this report?
Individuals involved in the development of HIV/AIDS policy, programs and research activities targeting this population.
Where is the report available?
The status report is
available on the Public
Health Agency of Canada
website at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.
ca/aids-sida/publication/
ps-pd/africacaribbe
/indexeng.php. Print copies can
be obtained by contacting
the Canadian AIDS
Treatment Information
Exchange, at:
www.catie.ca.
Population Description
The term “people from countries where HIV is endemic” is an epidemiologic term often used in HIV/AIDS surveillance. Demographic data suggests that there is an overlap between “people from countries where HIV is endemic” and the “Black population” in Canada. Since several information sources refer to one term or the other, both are used in the report. The term “Black population” is used specifically to gather information on their potential vulnerability to HIV and to describe program response.
Demographic Profile
Black people represented 2.5% of the total Canadian population in 2006. The majority live in urban areas in Ontario and Quebec. For the most part, this population is younger than the general population. Between 2001-2006, approximately 7.9% of the new immigrants were from countries where HIV is endemic.
Status of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Approximately 58,000 people were living with HIV and AIDS in Canada in 2005. The “HIV-endemic” exposure subcategory was estimated to account for approximately 7,050 of these HIV infections. The infection rate among individuals from HIV-endemic countries was estimated to be 12.6 times higher than among other Canadians in 2005.
Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
Determinants of health, including stigma, racism, income, unemployment, lack of access to culturally appropriate health services and loss of support from extended families in home countries for those who recently moved to Canada, contribute to this population’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS Research
Of the 19 projects identified in the status report (2005-2008), most are occurring at the municipal level in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta and are focussing on research regarding knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, risk-taking behaviours, and effective strategies to increase access to programs and services.
Current Response
Of the 57 projects identified in the status report (2006-2008), most (70%) are occurring in Ontario. Projects are led by different types of organizations, including those with a specific HIV/AIDS and/or ethnocultural mandate, as well as local community health centres. These projects mainly focus on enhancing access to services by reducing barriers or increasing the capacity of service providers to deliver more culturally appropriate services.
Considerations
The HIV/AIDS approach for people from countries where HIV is endemic - Black people of African and Caribbean descent living in Canada is complex given the diversity of this population (1st, 2nd, 3rd generation; countries of origin; language; cultural traditions; urban versus rural settings, within and between cities of Canada, etc.). These considerations, as well as epidemiological evidence, suggest that this population will continue to be an area of focus in addressing HIV and AIDS in Canada.
