Assessing access to HIV/STBBI Prevention and Care Services in Ontario, Canada for Trans Women and Gender Diverse People: An Environmental Scan
TWIRI HIV/STBBI Environmental Scan​​
We are interested in determining how supportive and accessible HIV/STBBI care and prevention clinics are across different health regions in Ontario in providing comprehensive, gender-inclusive, and affirming care for trans women and gender-diverse people.
Trans women and gender diverse individuals often face significant gaps in healthcare, particularly concerning their sexual health and gender affirmation. We are dedicated to improving sexual health—including HIV and STBBI prevention and care—as well as gender affirmation for trans women and gender diverse people across Ontario. Our aim is to understand how supportive and prepared HIV/STBBI care and prevention clinics are across different health regions in Ontario in providing comprehensive, gender-inclusive, and affirming care for trans and gender diverse people.
To achieve this, we will be conducting a rapid environmental scan of community-based organizations, clinics, and clinicians providing HIV/STBBI prevention and care, gender-affirming healthcare (GAH), or services specific to trans and gender-diverse individuals. The goal is to assess how accessible these services are to trans women and gender-diverse people across different health regions in Ontario. Using a five-step method for environmental scanning, we will analyze publicly available information from websites, social media, and other online resources of relevant clinics and organizations. Our primary research question focuses on evaluating how supportive these clinics are in providing comprehensive care for trans women and gender diverse individuals, while also examining regional and organizational variations in service accessibility. This environmental scan will help inform healthcare policy, program development, and improve understanding of the current landscape of HIV/STBBI prevention and care for trans women and gender diverse people in Ontario.
About the Study
In addition to conducting an environmental scan, we will hold consultations with both clinic service providers and trans women and gender diverse community members to gain deeper insights into the current landscape of HIV/STBBI prevention and care. These consultations will help us identify service gaps, as well as explore opportunities for enhancing care and support.
Consultations with service providers will focus on their experiences with HIV/STBBI care and prevention, and the range of services their organizations offer. This will allow us to assess the availability of services in more depth and uncover any gaps in care. Additionally, speaking with trans women and other gender diverse individuals will provide valuable perspectives on their healthcare experiences, particularly in relation to HIV and STBBI care and prevention, and how gender-affirming care impacts their overall health and well-being. By gathering insights from both healthcare providers and trans women and gender diverse community members, these consultations will ensure a more comprehensive and informed approach to addressing the healthcare needs of this population.
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Environmental Scan+ (Stakeholder Consultations)
Participants of the Study (Stakeholder Consultations)
GROUP 1: Trans Women and Gender Diverse People
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18 years or older
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Identify as a trans woman or gender diverse person
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Currently reside in Ontario
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Can speak conversational English
GROUP 2: Clinicians and/or service providers who provide HIV/STBBI care
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18 years or older
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Currently provide HIV/STBBI care or prevention services;
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Currently work in Ontario
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Belong to one of the following professions: physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, pharmacist, social worker, AIDS service organization employee, harm reduction worker, support worker, or related profession
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Have been working in their role and the HIV/STBBI sector for at least 6 months;
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Can speak conversational English.
Check back soon for updates on the study launch!
Contact
If you are interested in participating in the study or have any questions, please contact Research Coordinator Rsha Soud or fill out the form below.