About the A/C Study

History of the A/C Study

In 2011, the African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) commenced discussions about a “track” study with African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in Ontario. The “track” studies were PHAC-supported surveys to track key indicators of the HIV epidemic among the most affected communities in Canada (e.g., M-Track among men who have sex with men). The rationale for track studies was as follows: by tracking HIV-related indicators among specific population groups over a period of time, policy makers and program planners would better understand how the epidemic was responding to program and policy decisions.

After prolonged discussion and delays in their negotiations with PHAC, Wangari Tharao and Winston Husbands (as ACCHO co-chairs and project leaders) requested the Ontario HIV Treatment Network’s support for an ACB research team to independently develop A/C Study as a community-based research initiative.

The team implemented the A/C Study survey from November 2018 to December 2020 in Toronto and Ottawa and conducted focus group discussions using a virtual platform in July 2020. The primary objectives of the study were to describe:

1. prevalence of HIV,
2. behaviours associated with transmission of HIV,
3. HIV testing behaviours,
4. core knowledge related to HIV transmission and acquisition,
5. key individual and structural factors that affect vulnerability to HIV, and
6. care and treatment history for HIV as well as access to and use of health services.

Why Develop the A/C Study

HIV was first diagnosed in Canada in 1982. Yet, by 2018, certain key characteristics of HIV among ACB communities were unknown or poorly understood. For example, HIV prevalence (an estimate of the number and proportion of people who are living with HIV) is a key marker of the seriousness of HIV in affected populations. Yet, in 2021 there are no published estimates of HIV prevalence among ACB populations in Ontario. Therefore, one benefit of the A/C Study is that it will provide an initial estimate of HIV prevalence in Ontario. Over time, this initial estimate can be refined as better information becomes available. ACB researchers saw this critical lack of information as an opportunity to assert their interest in the health and wellbeing of ACB communities.

The A/C Study represents just one approach to generating knowledge about HIV among ACB communities. However, the A/C Study will help to promote understanding of the epidemic among ACB communities, encourage greater effort to generate and share knowledge, and inform community responses to HIV. Additionally, knowledge gained from the A/C Study can be used to inform policies and programs that may prevent HIV transmission and promote health.

The A/C Study Team

The A/C Study research team primarily consists of experienced ACB institution- and community-based
researchers and service providers. The team includes a broad range of stakeholders with demonstrated
expertise and experience in health care, research, program and policy development, and advocacy with
ACB communities in Ontario. Many members of the research team are located in AIDS service
organizations.

Co-Principal Investigators

Dr. Josephine Etowa, University of Ottawa
Dr. Winston Husbands, Ontario HIV Treatment Network (stepped down in 2020 to become Co-Investigator)
Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw, McMaster University
Dr. LaRon Nelson, St. Michael’s Hospital & Yale University
Suzanne Obiorah, Somerset West Community Health Centre (2019-2020)
Wangari Tharao, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre
Dr. Shamara Baidoobonso, Dalhousie University

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Partner Organizations (listed alphabetically):

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