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Cénat JM. Racial discrimination in healthcare services among Black individuals in Canada as a major threat for public health: its association with COVID-19 vaccine mistrust and uptake, conspiracy beliefs, depression, anxiety, stress, and community resilience. Public Health 2024; 230:207-215. [PMID: 38574426 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the prevalence of major racial discrimination (MRD) in healthcare services and its association with COVID-19 vaccine mistrust and uptake, conspiracy theories, COVID-19-related stressors, community resilience, anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. STUDY DESIGN The study used a population-based cross-sectional design. METHODS Data from the BlackVax dataset on COVID-19 vaccination in Black individuals in Canada was analyzed (n = 2002, 51.66% women). Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between MRD and independent variables. RESULTS 32.55% of participants declared having experienced MRD in healthcare services. Participants with MRD were less vaccinated against COVID-19, presented higher scores of vaccine mistrust, conspiracy beliefs, COVID-19 related stressors, depression, anxiety, and stress, and had lower scores of community resilience. They were more likely to experience depression (AOR = 2.13, P < 0.001), anxiety (AOR = 2.00, P < 0.001), and stress symptoms (AOR = 2.15, P < 0.001). Participants who experienced MRD were more likely to be unvaccinated (AOR = 1.35, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Racial discrimination experienced by Black individuals in health services is a major public health concern and threat to population health in Canada. Federal, provincial, and municipal public health agencies should adapt their programs, strategies, tools, and campaigns to address the mistrust created by racial discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude Mary Cénat
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques-Lussier, 4085, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada; Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Research Chair on Black Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Owino M, Dryden O, Este D, Etowa J, Husbands W, Nelson L, Ojukwu E, Peters E, Tharao W. A Manifesto for transformative action on HIV among Black communities in Canada. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2024; 115:245-249. [PMID: 38389034 PMCID: PMC11027760 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-024-00856-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Black communities bear a hugely disproportionate share of Canada's HIV epidemic. Black persons annually represent up to one quarter of new diagnoses, while in contrast, diagnoses have been falling among white Canadians for the past two decades. There has been a notable lack of urgency and serious debate about why the trend persists and what to do about it. For too long, public institutions have reproduced hegemonic white supremacy and profoundly mischaracterized Black life. Consequently, Black communities suffer policies and programs that buttress systemic anti-Black racism, socio-economically disenfranchise Black communities, and in the process marginalize knowledgeable, experienced, and creative Black stakeholders. The Interim Committee on HIV among Black Canadian Communities (ICHBCC) is a group of Black researchers, service providers, and community advocates who came together in early 2022 to interject urgency to the HIV crisis facing Black communities. Specifically, the ICHBCC advocates for self-determined community leadership of research, policies, and programs, backed by access to appropriate resources, to change the trajectory of HIV among Black Canadian communities. In this article, we introduce the wider community to the Black HIV Manifesto that we developed in 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Owino
- Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - OmiSoore Dryden
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Este
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Josephine Etowa
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Winston Husbands
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - LaRon Nelson
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On AIDS (CIRA), Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Institute of Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emmanuela Ojukwu
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eric Peters
- Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wangari Tharao
- Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Darius WP, Moshirian Farahi SMM, Kogan CS, Ndengeyingoma A, Cénat JM. Depression and suicidal ideation among Black individuals in Canada: mediating role of traumatic life events and moderating role of racial microaggressions and internalized racism. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024:10.1007/s00127-024-02641-1. [PMID: 38429537 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-024-02641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although suicidal ideation (SI) is a serious concern in Canada, its prevalence and related factors among Black individuals are poorly documented. Using data from the Mental Health of Black Communities in Canada project (BeCoMHeal), this study aimed to assess the prevalence of SI in Black individuals aged 15-40 years old in Canada, the mediating role of traumatic life events in the association between depression and SI, and the moderating role of racial microaggressions and internalized racism. METHODS Eight hundred and sixty participants aged between 15 and 40 years (Mage =24.96, SD = 6.29) completed the online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic data, depression symptoms, traumatic life events, racial microaggressions, internalized racism, and SI. RESULTS Findings showed that 25.7% of the participants reported having experienced SI (26.5% women, 22.7% men, 𝛘2 = 1.08, p = .299). The moderated-mediation model revealed that traumatic life events fully mediated the association between depression and SI (B = 0.12, p = .004; 95% CI, [0.04, 0.20]) and that racial microaggressions (B = - 0.03, p = .042; 95% CI [-0.07, - 0.00]) and internalized racism (B = 0.06, p = .006; 95% CI [0.02, 0.10]) moderated this relationship. CONCLUSION These findings underscore the importance of addressing racial microaggressions and internalized racism in therapy contexts among Black individuals to mitigate the potential negative impacts on their mental health. They also emphasize the need to develop effective, culturally sensitive, and racially adapted suicide prevention and intervention programs for Black communities in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wina Paul Darius
- School of Psychology (Clinical), University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques-Lussier, 4017, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | | | - Cary S Kogan
- School of Psychology (Clinical), University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques-Lussier, 4017, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Assumpta Ndengeyingoma
- Department of Nursing, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jude Mary Cénat
- School of Psychology (Clinical), University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques-Lussier, 4017, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- University of Ottawa Research Chair on Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Cénat JM, Moshirian Farahi SMM, Broussard C, Dalexis RD. The state of COVID-19 vaccine confidence and need in Black individuals in Canada: Understanding the role of sociodemographic factors, health literacy, conspiracy theories, traumatic stressors and racial discrimination. Vaccine 2024; 42:960-968. [PMID: 37891050 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black communities in Canada have been among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of number of infections and deaths. They are also among those most hesitant about vaccination against COVID-19. However, while a few studies have documented the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, those related to vaccine confidence remain unknown. To respond to this gap, this study aims to investigate factors associated to vaccine confidence in Black individuals in Canada. METHODS A total of 2002 participants (1034 women) aged 14 to 89 years old (Mean age = 29.34, SD = 10.13) completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic information, COVID-19 vaccine confidence and need, health literacy, conspiracy beliefs, major racial discrimination, and traumatic stressors related to COVID-19. RESULTS Results showed an average score of COVID-19 vaccine confidence and need of 33.27 (SD = 7.24), with no significant difference between men (33.48; SD = 7.24) and women (33.08; SD = 7.91), t (1999) = 1.19, p = 0.234. However, there were significant differences according to employment status, migration status, age, inhabited province, spoken language, education, marital status, religion, and income. The linear regression model explained 25.8 % of the variance and showed that health literacy (B = 0.12, p < 0.001) and traumatic stressors related to COVID-19 (B = 0.21, p < .001) predicted COVID-19 vaccine confidence and need positively, while conspiracy beliefs (B = -1.14, p < 0.001) and major racial discrimination (B = -0.20, p = 0.044) predicted it negatively. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that building the confidence of Black communities in vaccines requires health education, elimination of racial discrimination in the Canadian society and a focus on certain groups (e.g., young people, those living in Quebec and Ontario). The results also argue in favor of involving community leaders and organizations in the development and implementation of vaccination-related tools, strategies and programs by city, provincial and federal public health agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude Mary Cénat
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Research Chair on Black Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - Cathy Broussard
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rose Darly Dalexis
- Interdisciplinary School of Population Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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De Moissac D, Prada K, Gueye NR, Avanthay-Strus J, Hardy S. Healthcare Service Utilization and Perceived Gaps: The Experience of French-Speaking 2S/LGBTQI+ People in Manitoba. Healthc Policy 2024; 19:62-77. [PMID: 38721735 PMCID: PMC11131097 DOI: 10.12927/hcpol.2024.27239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Ethnolinguistically diverse 2S/LGBTQI+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) populations have unique healthcare needs and experience health inequities compared to their cisgender or heterosexual peers. This community-based participatory study sought to describe the profile and healthcare needs and experiences of official language minority French-speaking 2S/LGBTQI+ adults in Manitoba. Participants (N = 80) reported that gender and sexual identity were often concealed from service providers; many respondents faced discrimination based on their ethnolinguistic and sexual identities. Service gaps are identified pertaining to mental and sexual health; locating 2S/LGBTQI+-friendly, patient-centred care in French is difficult. Policy and practice should address systemic inequity and discrimination experienced by this equity-seeking population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Prada
- Student (MA in Counselling Psychology) Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology McGill University Montreal, QC
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Graham T, Nyambi A, Barkhad A, Stevens-Uninsky M, Rehman N, Bhatnagar N, Mbuagbaw L. HIV and Black People in Canada: Protocol for a Scoping Review. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e49066. [PMID: 37862080 PMCID: PMC10625082 DOI: 10.2196/49066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Race-based health information is necessary to address disproportionate barriers racial communities face and to achieve optimal health outcomes. In Canada, Black people are disproportionately affected by HIV. There is an emerging body of literature on this topic, but a concise summary is lacking. There is a need to collectively and critically analyze research on HIV in the Black population in Canada to identify knowledge gaps and address this disproportionate burden. OBJECTIVE The aim of this scoping review is to summarize the evidence on HIV and Black people in Canada. The main outcomes of interest are HIV prevalence, access to care, HIV prevention and treatment, the HIV care cascade, and related HIV outcomes. Through this scoping review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature and highlight topics that need more investigation in future research. METHODS We will conduct a scoping review of electronic databases using a systematic search strategy for qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods studies reporting on HIV and Black people in Canada. We will conduct our searches in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Google Scholar for literature published between 1985 and 2023. Gray literature, including government reports, dissertations, and other reports, will be included. Search results will be screened, and the full text of relevant literature will be retrieved. The extraction of data will be conducted independently by 2 reviewers. Consensus meetings will be held to resolve conflicts. Our results will be reported according to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews). RESULTS The initial title and abstract review identified 447 articles. These articles will be critically appraised, and relevant information will be extracted. Information from these articles will be compared using charts and tables. Screening will start in November 2023, and we anticipate publishing the scoping review in June 2024. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this scoping review will help inform policy, practice, and research on HIV and Black people in Canada. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/49066.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Graham
- Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Agatha Nyambi
- Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Aisha Barkhad
- Department of Global Health, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Nadia Rehman
- Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Neera Bhatnagar
- Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lawrence Mbuagbaw
- Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Centre for the Development of Best Practices in Health, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Massaquoi N. Racial humility over competence: Addressing anti-Black racism and healthcare leadership responsibility. Healthc Manage Forum 2023; 36:280-284. [PMID: 37415347 PMCID: PMC10448913 DOI: 10.1177/08404704231186807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Health leaders' response to anti-Black racism should not solely be a reaction to the police brutality and violence faced by Black communities. As part of healthcare leadership practice, we are responsible for recognizing the profound impact of anti-Black racism on all aspects of society, organizations, policies, practices, and behaviours. Based on interviews with health leaders responsible for implementing anti-Black racism strategies in their organizations, racial humility has been proposed as a necessary skill required to dismantle anti-Black racism. This requires a non-negotiable commitment, evaluation, and assessment of accountability, as well as the power to disrupt the impact of historical inequities, disparities, and discrimination experienced by Black community members. Racial humility is perceived as creating an ongoing practice to address anti-Black racism in healthcare, moving leaders from competence and discussion to reflection and transformative action.
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Fang X, Davids J, Koestner R. Disparities in Healthcare Accessibility and Discrimination Faced by Black Quebecers: a Race and Language Perspective. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023:10.1007/s40615-023-01724-0. [PMID: 37495906 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01724-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The Black population in Canada is characterized by its long-established history and diversity. The present study aims to expand our current understanding of the relation between discrimination and disparities in healthcare by including race and language as determinants of health. We recruited 531 Black adults who are currently living in Quebec, Canada, to complete a survey measuring socio-demographic characteristics, mental and physical health, accessibility to healthcare, and experiences of discrimination. Results showed that being a racialized and linguistic minority population in Quebec, English-speaking Black participants experienced more discrimination, fewer healthcare providers, less access to COVID-19 information during the COVID-19 pandemic, and were more dissatisfied with the healthcare system than French-speaking Black participants. Furthermore, the negative impacts of healthcare access associated with being a racialized and linguistic minority population in Quebec (e.g., the English-speaking Black population) were shown to be mediated by experiences of discrimination and dissatisfaction with the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Davids
- Black Community Resource Centre, Montreal, Canada
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Cénat JM, Moshirian Farahi SMM, Bakombo SM, Dalexis RD, Pongou R, Caulley L, Yaya S, Etowa J, Venkatesh V. Vaccine mistrust among Black individuals in Canada: The major role of health literacy, conspiracy theories, and racial discrimination in the healthcare system. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28738. [PMID: 37185858 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected Black communities in Canada in terms of infection and mortality rates compared to the general population. Despite these facts, Black communities are among those with the highest level of COVID-19 vaccine mistrust (COVID-19 VM). We collected novel data to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics and factors associated with COVID-19 VM among Black communities in Canada. A survey was conducted among a representative sample of 2002 Black individuals (51.66% women) aged 14-94 years (M = 29.34; SD = 10.13) across Canada. Vaccine mistrust was assessed as the dependent variable and conspiracy theories, health literacy, major racial discrimination in healthcare settings, and sociodemographic characteristics of participants were assessed as independent variables. Those with a history of COVID-19 infection had higher COVID-19 VM score (M = 11.92, SD = 3.88) compared to those with no history of infection (M = 11.25, SD = 3.83), t (1999) = -3.85, p < 0.001. Participants who reported having experienced major racial discrimination in healthcare settings were more likely to report COVID-19 VM (M = 11.92, SD = 4.03) than those who were not (M = 11.36, SD = 3.77), t (1999) = -3.05, p = 0.002. Results also showed significant differences for age, education level, income, marital status, provinces, language, employment status, and religion. The final hierarchical linear regression showed that conspiracy beliefs (B = 0.69, p < 0.001) were positively associated with COVID-19 VM, while health literacy (B = -0.05, p = 0.002) was negatively associated with it. The mediated moderation model showed that conspiracy theories completely mediated the association between racial discrimination and vaccine mistrust (B = 1.71, p < 0.001). This association was also completely moderated by the interaction between racial discrimination and health literacy (B = 0.42, p = 0.008), indicating that despite having a high level of health literacy, those who experienced major racial discrimination in health services developed vaccine mistrust. This first study on COVID-19 VM exclusively among Black individuals in Canada provides data that can significantly impact the development of tools, trainings, strategies, and programs to make the health systems free of racism and increase their confidence in vaccination for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude Mary Cénat
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- University of Ottawa Research Chair on Black Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Schwab Mulopo Bakombo
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rose Darly Dalexis
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roland Pongou
- Department of Economics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Caulley
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Josephine Etowa
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vivek Venkatesh
- Department of Art Education, Concordia University, Quebec, Montreal, Canada
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Antabe R, McIntosh M, Lawson E, Husbands W, Wong JPH, Arku G, Luginaah I. Black heterosexual men's resilience in times of HIV adversity: findings from the "weSpeak" study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:182. [PMID: 36707783 PMCID: PMC9880929 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15103-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Canada, heterosexual African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) men tend to suffer a disproportionate burden of HIV. Consequently, studies have examined the underlying contributors to this disparity through the nexus of behavioral and structural factors. While findings from these studies have been helpful, their use of deficit and risk models only furthers our knowledge of why ACB men are more vulnerable to HIV infection. Thus far, there is a dearth of knowledge on how heterosexual ACB men mobilize protective assets to promote their resilience against HIV infection. METHODS As part of a larger Ontario-based project called weSpeak, this study examined how ACB men acquire protective assets to build their resilience to reduce their HIV vulnerability. We analyzed three focus group discussions (n = 17) and 13 in-depth interviews conducted with ACB men using NVivo and a mixed inductive-deductive thematic analyses approach. RESULTS The findings show that ACB men mostly relied on personal coping strategies, including sexual abstinence, to build resilience against HIV. Interpersonal resources such as family, friends, and religious communities also played an important role in constructing ACB men's resilience. ACB men bemoaned their lack of access to essential institutional resources, such as health services, that are important in managing HIV adversity. CONCLUSION Based on these findings, there is an urgent need for HIV policy stakeholders, including service providers, to engage the ACB community in the design of intervention programs. Additionally, addressing the socioeconomic disadvantages faced by ACB communities will increase the capacity of ACB men to develop resilience against HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Antabe
- Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, M1C 1A4, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Martin McIntosh
- Regional HIV/AIDS Connections (RHAC), 30-186 King Street, N6A 1C7 London, ON Canada
| | - Erica Lawson
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, Lawson Hall Room, 3260, N6A 5B8 London, ON Canada
| | - Winston Husbands
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, M5T 3M7 Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Josephine Pui-Hing Wong
- Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University, Podium Building, Room POD-481, 350 Victoria St, M5B 2K3 Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Godwin Arku
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Geography and Environment, Social Science Centre, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, N6A 5C2 London, ON Canada
| | - Isaac Luginaah
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Geography and Environment, Social Science Centre, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, N6A 5C2 London, ON Canada
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Kemei J, Tulli M, Olanlesi-Aliu A, Tunde-Byass M, Salami B. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Black Communities in Canada. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1580. [PMID: 36674335 PMCID: PMC9862348 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in differential impacts on the Black communities in Canada and has unmasked existing race-related health inequities. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black people in Canada. Historically, social inequalities have determined the impacts of pandemics on the population, and in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionate infections and mortalities have become evident among racialized communities in Canada. This qualitative descriptive study utilized an intersectionality framework. We invited Black stakeholders across Canada to participate in semi-structured interviews to deepen our knowledge of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black communities in Canada. A total of 30 interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis. Our findings fell into three categories: (1) increased vulnerability to COVID-19 disease, (2) mental impacts, and (3) addressing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show the underlying systemic inequities in Canada and systemic racism exacerbated health inequities among the Black communities and undermined interventions by public health agencies to curb the spread of COVID-19 and associated impacts on Black and other racialized communities. The paper concludes by identifying critical areas for future intervention in policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Kemei
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Mia Tulli
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | | | - Modupe Tunde-Byass
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Bukola Salami
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
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