EXPLORING KEY DETERMINANTS OF HIV/HCV PREVENTION AND RISK: VOICES OF ABORIGINAL YOUTH OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Abstract

This youth-oriented, community-based research was conducted to identify key determinants of HIV/HCV prevention and risk among Aboriginal youth living in both urban and rural Prince Edward Island (PEI). This research was also conducted to identify applications of this information toward health promotion and HIV/HCV prevention initiatives. Data were collected though six interactive sharing sessions, which incorporated traditional story-telling, photo-voice, and lessons in cultural photography. A thematic network analysis of the data yielded emergent core themes and subthemes which were explored in the context of proximal, intermediate, and distal determinants of HIV/HCV prevention and risk. Key proximal determinants identified from the analysis include social/physical contexts, access to information, and geographic location. Intermediate determinants include systems, reducing harms, and culture, while distal determinants include racial discrimination and social isolation, stigma, and self-determination. Four recommendations toward health promotion efforts and HIV/HCV prevention programming among Aboriginal youth of PEI are also presented.