The Prairie Community-Based HIV/AIDS Research Initiative

Visit the Prairie Community-Based HIV/AIDS Research Initiative website at www.prairiecbr.com. 

The Prairie Community-Based HIV/AIDS Research Initiative generates new opportunities to increase the organizational capacity of community-based organizations working in HIV/AIDS in Saskatchewan and Manitoba to undertake research set to achieve policy, program and service delivery goals. The Initiative provides support to strengthen the skills of community organizations and professional researchers to undertake and produce HIV/AIDS community based research _that is relevant, respectful and methodologically sound. The Initiative provides support to Saskatchewan and Manitoba HIV/AIDS community organizations in all aspects of their research. This support includes emphasis in the involvement of community members as active collaborators in the research process.

Nine Circles Research and Evaluation Program

Nine Circles Community Health Centre is committed to regular and rigorous evaluation of our programs and services to ensure accessibility, responsiveness and quality. We are equally committed to the contribution of local and regional community based research as a means to understanding and responding to the evolving needs of the communities living with, and at risk for HIV/STIs.

2006/07 Nine Circles Community Health Centre Annual Report (4 MB)

Current and recently completed research projects:

1. The Win-Map Feasibility Study is a recently completed collaboration between Nine Circles Community Health Centre, the University of Manitoba and Public Health Agency of Canada. This study examined HIV/AIDS related high-risk activities as a function of geography and located places in Winnipeg with high levels of HIV-related risk activity. The methodology consisted of identifying lcoations where high-risk activities for HIV acquisition take place, estimating the number of persons involved in these activities and profiling these locations. This study collected information on the needs for additional HIV prevention services among persons involved in high-risk activities at these locations. The final report is under development.

2. Nine Circles, along with partners from the University of Manitoba, All Nations Hope AIDS Network of Regina, AIDS programs South Saskatchewan and Manitoba PHA Caucus  have been funded through the Canadian Institute of Health Research for the Informal Caregivers Network Study. This study is photo-based research with the understanding that photography can open doors of communication that other means may not.  Participants will be given cameras and asked to take pictures of their lives.  Through debriefing sessions of the photos, we aim to establish a clear picture of the lives of People Living with HIV/AIDS, their informal caregivers and how their networks of support are created and sustained.

3. The Improving Access Project started in April 2005 in partnership with Sexuality Education Resource Centre  in response to the growing numbers of New Canadians living with or at risk of HIV. Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Project has generated a comprehensive Environmental Scan and Needs Assessment to support service providers throughout the region in planning effective and appropriate services. Nine Circles has secured access to the WRHA Language Access program, to ensure access to trained health care interpreters in over 12 languages, and significantly strengthened our capacity to provide quality care to New Canadians living with and at risk for HIV.

Environmental Scan Executive Summary (March 17, 2007).doc (37 KB)  

Environmental Scan Final Report (May 2006) (159 KB)

Needs Assessment Report - Final June 20071.pdf (189 KB)

4. Nine Circles continues to work towards improved community responses to members of the GLBTTQ* population. Nine Circles completed a Transgender community needs assessment  (2 MB)  entitled "Nowhere Near Enough", which supported members of the community to highlight challenges in the areas of access to health and social services and safety. Since its completion a network of community health agencies and Manitoba Health's Primary Care program have committed to collaborating to implement recommendations from the report over the coming year. This project was funded through the Crime Prevention Branch of Public Safety Canada