Evaluating a Métis community pilot of dried blood spot testing within a Métis-specific cultural response for those lIving with/affected by HIV and other STBBI

Date

2020-06-04

Authors

Atkinson, Danielle N.

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Abstract

There is a shortage of literature on culturally grounded Métis approaches to addressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). The goals of this research were two-fold: to document and explore the development of an emerging Métis model of health and wellness for people living with or impacted by HIV and STBBI, and to conduct an evaluation of a dried blood spot testing (DBST) pilot for HIV and STBBI in Alberta drawing strongly on perspectives of Métis community members. This study utilized community-based and Indigenous research approaches in partnership with Shining Mountains Living Community Services (Shining Mountains) to address these goals. The first research goal (documenting and exploring a Métis model of health and wellness for people living with/impacted by HIV/STBBI) involved three gathering circles comprised of eight diverse Métis community members and stakeholders, which was supplemented by a community mapping exercise, and resulted in the development of the Red River Cart Model. The second research goal (evaluating a pilot of DBST for HIV/STBBI) involved the analysis of 26 survey responses and four gathering circles comprised of 19 participants who were self-identifying Métis individuals who received DBST at one of two events in the Métis community; semi-structured interviews with three DBST providers; and the document analysis of minutes from meetings with stakeholders held throughout the planning process of the DBST pilot. Results include the Red River Cart Model (a service tool and multi-level conceptual model describing a Métis understanding of health within an HIV/STBBI context) and suggest that DBST is an acceptable community-led testing intervention for Métis people. This research builds on limited existing literature by articulating a Métis model to health and wellness which can be used by service providers, policy makers, and Métis communities, and provides evidence in support of a testing intervention implemented by Métis Peoples for Métis Peoples.

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Keywords

Metis health, Community based research, HIV, dried blood spot testing

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