PHA Needs Assessment

Introduction
The Positive Voices Caucus (PVC), sponsored by the Alberta Community Council on HIV (ACCH), is a
network for and by Albertans living with HIV. The PVCs vision is for all people living with HIV and AIDS
(PHAs) in Alberta to have equitable opportunity to lead lives that are full of good health and well-being
and free from stigma. To do this, it is important that the PVC and the organizations whose work it
informs is aware of the experiences, preferences, and needs of Alberta PHAs.
Unfortunately, the research necessary to create a picture of what this looks like in Alberta is lacking. It is
this gap that has led the PVC to develop and deliver a provincial PHA needs assessment. While not
exhaustive, this research is an important first step in better understanding the needs of PHAs throughout
the province. Those engaged in HIV work in Alberta, particularly the ACCH and local AIDS Service
Organizations (ASOs), could utilize this analysis to drive further exploration in their attempts to provide
effective, meaningful, and culturally competent services and care to PHAs across the province of Alberta.
Methods
Survey responses were collected between January 18, 2017 and March 10, 2017. The survey was
offered online only, through Google Forms. In total, 59 on-target responses were received. Recognizing
the challenge in engaging a diverse population, some of whom are engaged with the community-based
HIV sector and some of whom are not, the PVC felt it necessary to provide various points of entry through
which people could complete the survey.
The survey was shared with Positive Voices Conference1 applicants via email. It was also sent through
email to various partners within the Alberta HIV sector who could then share it with the PHAs they serve.
The survey was also shared via social media platforms belonging to the ACCH and other relevant
community partners. Additionally, ASOs were provided with the opportunity to offer honorariums to clients
who completed the survey within their agency, specifically focused on reaching individuals who may not
have been reached online. Fourteen respondents completed the survey through this method.
Limitations
Although this data is of value, the sample is biased. It is disproportionately male (76% in this sample vs.
,
~70% of new infections in Alberta)2 and gay (64% vs. ~36% of new Alberta infections).3 4 Although the
sample appears to be biased toward both Edmonton and Calgary, the proportion of responses from the
two areas combined (83%) is congruent with the percentage of new Alberta HIV infections which can be
attributed to these two regions (~87%).5 In regards to ethnicity, although the percentage of respondents
reporting an Indigenous ethnicity mirrored the percentage of new infections reported to be amongst
1
The Positive Voices Conference is a provincial conference organized by and for Alberta PHAs.
2
Alberta Health. Infectious Disease: HIV Proportion (Exposure Category): 2016. Interactive Health Data Application.
Government of Alberta, 2017. Web. 1 October 2017
<http://www.ahw.gov.ab.ca/IHDA_Retrieval/selectSubCategory.do>
3
4
Includes MSM & IDU category; it should also be noted that MSM numbers may be underreported due to individuals
not reporting same-sex sexual contact due to stigma.
5
Alberta Health. Infectious Disease: HIV Incidence Rate (Geography): 2016. Interactive Health Data Application.
P.O. Box 2458 Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 1X9 | Ph (587) 598-2224 www.acch.ca 1
Indigenous people in 2016 (17%),6,7 other ethnic groups with high incidence of HIV infection, such as
people belonging to African, Caribbean, and Black populations (ACB) were underrepresented in the
survey sample (4% of survey respondents vs. 26% of new infections).8 Other groups underrepresented in
the survey sample include people who inject drugs (IDU) (10% of survey sample vs. 15% of new
infections),9,10 making it challenging to make valuable inferences from the data about that subgroup or to
share said data without potentially compromising someones privacy.
Because of these limitations, data should not be used to generalize amongst the broader Alberta PHA
population. However, there is still value in this data given that it is one of the first surveys of its kind in the
province and has been responded to by approximately one percent of the estimated Alberta PHA
population. Therefore, rather than attempting to project this data upon the broader Alberta PHA
population, it is best to approach the results as an identification of some potential gaps and strengths
which merit further exploration by service and healthcare providers through more robust research
initiatives.
Demographic Summary
The majority of responses received were from Albertas two largest urban centres, Edmonton (44%) and
Calgary (39%). The remaining responses (17%) were scattered throughout the rest of the province. In
efforts to be more inclusive, respondents were asked to self-identity as it related to their gender identity.
Approximately three in four respondents (76%) identified as male, about 15% as female, two as two-
spirited, and three did not specify any gender. Most respondents who self-reported as female or male
did not indicate whether they were transgender or cisgender. Therefore, we cannot be certain as to
whether some individuals who responded identify as transgender or not.
Respondents were also asked to report on their sexual orientation. Nearly two-thirds of respondents
(64%) identified as gay, 25% as heterosexual, four as bisexual, and two did not specify any sexual
orientation.
Regarding ethnicity or race, 59% of respondents identified as Caucasian, 17% as Indigenous, and 4% as
belonging to African, Caribbean, or Black populations. Nearly ten percent identified across a range of
other ethnic or racial backgrounds, with another ten percent offering an answer that did not clearly
indicate a specific race or ethnic background. Nearly one in five (17%) of respondents indicated having
immigrated to Canada from another country.
6
Alberta Health. Infectious Disease: HIV Proportion (Ethnicity): 2016. Interactive Health Data Application.
7
It should be noted that ethnicity was only reported for 259 of 282 new infections, meaning that these figures may not
accurately reflect the true ethnic breakdown of 2016 new HIV infections.
8
Alberta Health. Infectious Disease: HIV Proportion (Ethnicity): 2016. Interactive Health Data Application.
9
10
Includes MSM & IDU Exposure Category.
Respondents by location (n=59)
10,17%
26,44%
23,39%
Edmonton Calgary Other
Regarding age, there was a broad range represented by respondents (28-70 years old). The mean age of
respondents was 47, with the median being 49. Similarly, there was a broad range in regard to how long
ago respondents were diagnosed with HIV (<1-33 years). The average number of years diagnosed was
11, with 7 years being the median number of years since diagnosis.
Basic Needs
Concerning income, about 40% of respondents indicated income of less than $20,000 in the last twelve
months. Another 22% reported income of $20,000-$34,999 in the last twelve months. About 12% of
respondents indicated earning between $35,000-49,999 and another 12% $50,000-$74,999. Finally, less
than 10% reported earning $75,000-$99,999 and about 5% $100,000 or more.
Although this should not be generalized to all PHAs in Alberta, it is worth noting the significant disparity
between the income levels of survey respondents and the income levels of all Albertans. In 2015, only
24% of working age Albertans earned less than $20,000 per year, compared to 40% in this sample.
Collectively, about 62% of survey respondents indicated earning less than $35,000 vs. 43% of all working
age Albertans. Conversely, on the other side of the equation, only 15% of survey respondents indicated
earning $75,000 or more in the last twelve months vs. about 25% of all working-age Albertans.11
Part of the income disparity is likely rooted in the proportion of survey respondents who are not currently
employed. Only 39% of respondents reported being employed full-time. An additional 10% indicated part-
time employment. About 10% of respondents indicated being full-time students or retired. Another 10%
were on some form of disability-related income support. Finally, about 30% of respondents were simply
unemployed; a proportion far higher than the estimated 8.3% Alberta unemployment rate at the time the
11
Statistics Canada. CANSIM Table 111-0008: Individuals by total income level, by province and territory (Alberta).
Government of Canada, 2017. Web. 1 October 2017. < http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-
som/l01/cst01/famil105j-eng.htm>
survey data was collected. 12 Nearly half of respondents (48%) indicated receiving some type of income
support over the past twelve months.
Regarding housing, only 5% of respondents indicated not having stable housing or shelter. However,
individual perception of housing security was a very different picture. About one in four (24%) of
respondents indicated being very unconfident that they will have stable housing 12 months from the time
they completed the survey. Including those who were either unconfident or neither confident nor
unconfident, that number rises to nearly 40%. Less than two-thirds (63%) of respondents indicated being
confident or very confident that they would have stable housing 12 months from now.
ASO Satisfaction
A series of positive statements were provided to respondents to gauge their satisfaction with the ASO
they are most engaged with as it relates to various areas deemed important by the PVC. Respondents
12
Ministry of Labour. Alberta Labour Force Statistics, February 2017: Unemployment Rate by Age & Gender.
Government of Alberta, 2017. Web. 1 October 2017. http://work.alberta.ca/documents/labour-force-stats-2017-02-
public-package.pdf. <http://economicdashboard.alberta.ca/Unemployment>
were then asked to indicate whether they strongly disagree (-2), disagree (-1), neither agree nor
disagree (0), agree (1), or strongly agree (2) with the statement. Those who felt they were not able to
answer due to a lack of sufficient engagement with an ASO were able to choose not applicable.
Of eleven statements developed by the PVC, when the scores were averaged, with strongly disagree
being the lowest on the scale and strongly agree being the highest, the three statements respondents
most agreed with, from highest to lowest, were:
The staff at my ASO is knowledgeable about matters related to HIV.
I feel like the staff at my ASO genuinely cares about PHAs.
The staff at my ASO is helpful.
The three statements respondents most disagreed with (four due to a tie), from the statement they
disagreed with the most, were:
I feel as though I am given sufficient opportunity to influence the work of my ASO.
I feel like PHAs are sufficiently represented amongst the staff, board, and volunteers of my ASO.
(tie)
I feel that my ASO provides sufficient leadership development opportunities for PHAs. (tie)
The services offered by my ASO match well with my needs. (tie)
The answers begin to paint a picture. Most respondents generally feel as though ASO staff are
knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely care about the PHAs they serve. However, a sizeable number of
respondents indicate a lack of opportunities offered by ASOs for PHAs to develop leadership skills and
influence and contribute to the work in a meaningful way. Without the ability to do this, it should not be a
surprise that some respondents indicated that the services offered by their ASO did not match well with
their needs.
When given the opportunity to share one thing they would like their ASO to focus on, the varied answers
demonstrated just how diverse the needs of PHAs living in Alberta are. The two most common themes
represented in respondent answers indicated very different desires. For one group of respondents, they
felt that ASOs should focus more on supporting the basic needs of PHAs (housing, employment, etc.):
I believe that the housing crisis for HIV clients needs to be addressed better and given the
opportunity I will work towards advocating for better services.
Financial support for people that are affected by the economy.
On the other hand, an equal group of respondents indicated the need for ASOs to focus more on
providing supports beyond basic needs such as population-specific social or support groups, providing
more opportunities for PHAs to contribute to their agencys work, and catering to PHAs whose basic
needs are already met.
Add more events for after work involvement as not all of us are unemployed.
To focus on the PHAs who are at the stage in their lives where HIV has been stable for a while,
[they are] very healthy (no longer requiring frontline services, where the majority of focus, support
and funding still is), yet require the next, important step in their continued care: to properly age
with HIV.
A support group that sits down with gay men living with HIV so that people with HIV don't feel so
alone.
Provinces HIV Response
Respondents were asked to assess Albertas response to HIV as it relates to preventing new HIV
infections, preventing AIDS-related deaths, ending HIV stigma, and providing care for PHAs.
Respondents provided a score for each area, ranging from very poorly (-2) to very good (2) with
poorly (-1), neutral (0), and good (1) making up the middle of the pack.
The responses varied significantly across the four markers. The area for which the province received the
highest average score was Preventing AIDS-related deaths. This should not be a surprise given that
developments in HIV treatment now enable PHAs to lead long, relatively healthy lives. Additionally,
outside of those for whom immigration status poses a barrier, HIV treatment is free for Albertans through
the provinces Specialized High Cost Drug Program.
The province received its lowest score as it relates to Ending HIV Stigma. More respondents felt the
province was doing poorly or very poorly than good or very good, leading to a net-negative score
(-0.3/2; scale -2 to +2).
ASO Engagement
Respondents were asked to indicate what type of engagement they had with an AIDS Service
Organization. Given the option to check all that applied to them, 40% indicated that they accessed
services from an ASO, about one third indicated that they volunteered with an ASO, approximately 5%
indicated being a board member at an ASO, with only one person reporting being a paid staff member.
One in three respondents indicated having no involvement whatsoever with an ASO.
In a separate question which focused on the frequency at which respondents volunteered with or
accessed services from an ASO in the last 12 months, 23 respondents indicated having volunteered. Of
those who volunteered with an ASO (23), about 20% did so once a week or more, another third about
once per month, and about half indicated having volunteered once per quarter or less.
It should be noted that the 23 who indicated volunteering in response to this question was higher than the
18 who indicated volunteering in an earlier question, which was summarized previously. This is likely due
to the fact that the earlier question was more likely to elicit how the respondent viewed their association
with an ASO whereas this most recent question focused on a more tangible measure; whether or not the
respondent completed a particular action within a particular period of time. Someone who only
volunteered once in the past year may not perceive themselves as being a volunteer when thinking of
how they engage with their ASO, leaving them to indicate having volunteered once in the past year but
not self-identifying as a volunteer in the earlier question.
Individuals were also asked how frequently they accessed services from an ASO in the last twelve
months. Thirty-two respondents indicated having accessed services from an ASO in the last year. Of
those who indicated accessing services (32), half indicated doing so at least once per week. About one in
five indicated accessing services just once per month. And nearly one third indicated accessing services
at frequencies of quarterly or less in the past year.
Like the previous measure, more individuals indicated accessing services in the past twelve months than
the 23 who earlier recognized themselves as service-users. Again, this is likely due to the fact that those
who rarely access services are less likely to self-identify as service users.
In a subsequent question, respondents were provided with a list of supports, services, and supplies and
asked to indicate which of them they access from an ASO. Of the list, the top ten selected were as
follows:
o Social Groups or Events (21)

o Meals (16)
o Bus Tickets (14)
o Hygiene Products (14)
o Grocery Cards (14)
o Support Groups (11)
o One on One Mental Health Support (7)
o Safer Sex Supplies (7)
o Health Products (i.e. vitamins) (6)
o Housing Support (5)
Therefore, the most common supports or services respondents accessed from an ASO were related to
the following areas: Social and Mental Health Support (social groups or events, support groups, and one-
on-one mental health support); Provision of Basic Needs (meals, bus tickets, hygiene products, health
products, and housing support); and Sexual Health (safer sex supplies).
ACCH
Respondents were asked a series of questions related to their engagement with and opinion of the
ACCH. Firstly, respondents were asked whether or not they recall visiting any of the ACCHs online
resources in the last twelve months, including the website, newsletter, annual report, or social media
platforms.
Less than one third of respondents indicated visiting any of the resources. The most commonly visited
resource was the ACCH website, which 12 respondents had visited in the last year, followed by the ACCH
Newsletter with 9 respondents. The most commonly visited social media platform was Facebook, with
four respondents having visited in the last twelve months.
Understanding that this might be the case, respondents were asked which topics they would like to see
more of on ACCH online platforms. The three most commonly selected topics were HIV and Aging,
Developments in Treatment and Prevention, and HIV Stigma.
Finally, respondents were asked what their overall opinion of the ACCH was, on a scale from very
negative to very positive. Of those who responded to the question (55), only 10% of respondents
indicated having a negative or very negative opinion of the ACCH whereas nearly 30% indicated
having a positive or very positive opinion of the organization. This is encouraging. However, this
appears to be a silver lining within an otherwise troubling tableau: Nearly 25% (13) of respondents
indicated having a neutral opinion of the ACCH, whereas nearly 40% (21) of respondents indicated not
having an opinion of the ACCH at all.
Therefore, nearly two thirds of respondents have a neutral or no opinion of the ACCH. Although it would
not be desirable for a significant portion of respondents to have a negative opinion of the organization, it
should not be too encouraging that the most common response from PHAs to the provinces primary
provincial HIV organization is akin to a Who? or Meh.
Stigma and Support
Respondents were asked about experiences of HIV stigma, both in the last twelve months in addition to
the entire time since their diagnosis. The responses are troubling.
A sizeable number of respondents had experienced sexual rejection (51%), social rejection (36%), and
verbal abuse (27%) due to their HIV status in the last twelve months. Alarmingly, (7%) had also
experienced physical abuse due to their HIV status during this time.
A considerable number of respondents indicated having experienced the end of a meaningful relationship
(friendship, 41%; sexual or romantic relationship, 53%) due to their HIV status at some point since being
diagnosed. Furthermore, one in four respondents had experienced workplace discrimination due to their
HIV status since being diagnosed.
In regard to support networks, more respondents disagree or strongly disagree than agree or
strongly agree that they have sufficient opportunity to meet friends who are living with HIV, to meet
sexual or romantic partners who are living with HIV, or have enough people in their support networks.
Additionally, more than 60% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they often feel lonely. Finally,
only 28% of respondents indicated currently being in an ongoing romantic relationship, compared to about
58% of the general population of Alberta who reported being married or common-law.13
HIV Treatment and Adherence
Respondents were asked a series of questions regarding their access to and experience of HIV-related
treatment and care. When provided with a list of potential barriers to HIV care and asked which barriers to
care respondents had experienced, the top three barriers selected were inconvenient hours (24% of
respondents), distance (19%), and a previous bad experience (19%).
Despite some of these barriers, all respondents except for one indicated having a current HIV care
provider. Also, despite some respondents indicating a previous bad experience as a barrier theyd
experienced to HIV care, the majority were satisfied with their HIV care provider. Of those who had a
current provider (58), 90% (52) were either satisfied (13) or very satisfied (39) with their provider. Five
respondents (9%) were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their provider. Only one respondent was
very dissatisfied with their care provider, with none being simply dissatisfied.
Similar to the proportion of respondents with an HIV care provider, all but one indicated having been
prescribed HIV medication. Of those who had been prescribed HIV medication (58), 53 (90%) of
respondents indicated taking their HIV medication daily as prescribed. Three respondents (5%) indicated
missing 1-2 doses per week. And just two respondents indicated missing 3-4 doses per week. No
respondents indicated missing more than 3-4 doses per week.
13
Statistics Canada. Table 10 Canada, Alberta: Population 15 and older by marital status, 2011 Census.
Government of Canada, 2015. Web. 1 October 2017. <http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-
sa/fogs-spg/Facts-pr-eng.cfm?Lang=Eng&GK=PR&GC=48>
Recommendations
Overcoming Indifference:
A common theme throughout the survey was the high proportion of respondents who demonstrated an
indifference toward or lack of familiarity with the ASO they most often engage with, or with the ACCH.
Indeed, in most cases where respondents were asked to provide an opinion on how an ASO or the ACCH
was doing in a particular area, more respondents provided a positive assessment than a negative one.
However, in many of those cases there were a large number of individuals who provided neutral or
indifferent responses such as neither agree nor disagree, no opinion, or not applicable.
In some cases, such as respondents scoring of the ASO they engage with most often, these answers
were provided nearly as often as, or more than, positive responses for almost every measurement. And in
the case of the ACCH, when asked to provide an opinion on the organization, these responses made up a
greater proportion of answers than positive or negative ratings combined.
A likely contributor to such indifference is a lack of meaningful and frequent engagement with the ACCH
and local ASOs. A substantial proportion (36%) of respondents had not accessed any services from an
ASO in the last year. Less than one third of respondents (29%) reported accessing any of the ACCHs
online resources over the same period. Speculating that those who responded to the survey were more
likely to be connected to or aware of the ACCH and other ASOs than those who did not complete the
survey (as sharing through ACCH and ASO platforms was a core component of survey promotion), one
could assume that if you were to reach a broader segment of Alberta PHAs who did not complete the
survey, you would likely see the proportion of those unengaged and likely indifferent increase.
Therefore, if a primary component of the role of the ACCH and Alberta ASOs is to serve Alberta PHAs,
they must consider how to more effectively engage a broader proportion of the Alberta PHA population.
And when they do, they should consider what meaningful and impactful engagement looks like for those
they serve. After all, if the ACCH and ASOs are the sole organizations specifically charged with providing
necessary services and support to Alberta PHAs, a substantial proportion of those they purportedly serve
should not respond to said services and support with indifference.
Defining the Role of the ASO:
One way to potentially engage a larger proportion of Alberta PHAs and overcome consumer indifference
is through providing relevant services and supports. Unfortunately, one of the poorest-scoring measures
within this survey was whether the services offered by a respondents ASO matched well with their needs.
Many of the services and supports provided by Alberta ASOs are not HIV-specific. When looking at the
most-accessed supports and services indicated by respondents, the category within which most of those
services would fall would be the provision of basic needs (meals, hygiene products, grocery cards,
vitamins, and bus tickets).
Given the fact that these are some of the most commonly accessed services indicated by respondents, it
appears as though there is rationale and value to offering them. When asked what respondents felt their
ASO should focus on, one of the two most common themes was that ASOs should focus on providing
services and supports related to helping PHAs meet their basic needs. Additionally, as discussed
previously, the survey sample reported experiencing lower income, lower employment, and lower housing
security than the general population; representing a group which would benefit from access to services
which support basic needs.
On the other hand, a sizable proportion of PHAs are not engaging frequently (or at all) with Alberta ASOs
and have indicated that they do not feel that the services their ASO offers match well with their perceived
needs. And in direct opposition to the answer provided by their peers above, when asked to indicate what
they believe their ASO should focus on, the most common theme which emerged from this group was the
need for Alberta ASOs to focus on providing services which are accessible and relevant to PHAs who
dont need help filling their basic needs; such as social events, peer support, support in aging with HIV,
and services which are available for those who are employed and work during the day.
This demonstrates what is already known; that people living with HIV much like the populations most
disproportionately impacted by the virus are very diverse and, thus, have very diverse needs. Whereas
some require assistance obtaining secure housing and employment, others already have these things
and instead require services and supports that address stigma and help them engage meaningfully with
others living with the virus with whom they can identify. This appears to be of particular importance given
the alarming incidence of stigmatizing events experienced by respondents and the shortage of
meaningful, supportive relationships they have to help offset the impact of such events.
So, with limited resources, what should the ACCH and Alberta ASOs focus on? Meeting the basic needs
of the most vulnerable Albertan PHAs even though they are not specific to HIV (although it should be
noted that there is a complex and mutually reinforcing relationship between ones vulnerability to HIV and
socioeconomic status)? Or do such organizations prioritize addressing needs which emerge directly out of
ones experience as an HIV-positive individual such as the need to address HIV stigma, advocating for
easier access to biomedical prevention options such as PrEP, or tackling the increased incidence of
mental health challenges faced by those living with HIV?
This report does not set out to answer this question but rather raises it as a significant one that must be
answered by HIV-related service providers. There are multiple organizations which focus on meeting the
needs of individuals as it relates to housing security, food security, and employment all within a ten-
minute walk of where the author is sitting right now (which is at an ASO). Is it the ASOs responsibility to
focus on meeting the basic needs of clients simply because they have them when other organizations
are already mandated and funded to do this work? Or should the ASOs mandate be to focus on issues
which emerge directly out of an individuals positive HIV-status? The PVC strongly recommends that the
Alberta HIV sector prioritize this line of inquiry to ensure that services and supports offered truly are
reflective of the needs of Albertan PHAs.
A Demonstrated Commitment to GIPA/MIPA:
The answer to the previous line of inquiry might be easier to come by if Alberta ASOs demonstrated a
more tangible, in-practice commitment to the GIPA/MIPA14 principles. When scoring ASOs on a variety of
measures, statements respondents disagreed with most were all related to the organizations commitment
(or lack thereof) to said principles:
I feel as though I am given sufficient opportunity to influence the work of my ASO. [Weakest]
I feel like PHAs are sufficiently represented amongst the staff, board, and volunteers of my
ASO.[tied for second weakest]
I feel that my ASO provides sufficient leadership development opportunities for PHAs. [Tied for
second weakest]
There appears to be a significant gap in PHA representation amongst staff, board members, and
volunteers within the Alberta ASO sector. Of all respondents, only one indicated being a paid staff
member at an ASO. Only three indicated being board members. And less than half of those who
responded to a question about volunteering with an ASO indicated volunteering at all in the past twelve
months, with less than one in four volunteering at a frequency of once a month or more.
The GIPA/MIPA principles require ASOs and other entities engaged in HIV work to create intentional
space for PHAs to make meaningful contributions to HIV work, as the work directly affects them. When
they report that they are not given sufficient opportunity to influence the work of their ASO, are not
adequately represented amongst staff, board members, and volunteers at their ASO, and do not feel that
their ASO provides sufficient leadership development opportunities for PHAs, it is clear that the Alberta
HIV sector must reconceptualize their community engagement models as it relates to engaging
meaningfully with PHAs. This should be done with each level of contribution in mind volunteers, staff,
and board members.
And where there appear to be challenges in recruiting PHAs with suitable knowledge and skills to fill
certain roles, as per the GIPA/MIPA principles, it is necessary that the ASO provide opportunities for
PHAs to gain such skills, knowledge, and capacity. Finally, as ASOs rethink their approach to GIPA/MIPA,
it is important that they engage PHAs in that process from the very beginning, otherwise betraying the
very principle toward which they strive.
Conclusion
Much has changed over the more than 30 years since the first HIV diagnosis in Alberta. However, it
remains an issue which directly impacts the more than 5,000 Albertans estimated to be living with HIV in
addition to the many more at risk of infection. It is every bit as important today as ever that the HIV sector,
particularly the community-based organizations that support those living with HIV, provide the supports
and services necessary to ensure that PHAs are not only able to survive but also thrive. The PVC asks
the ACCH and other ASOs within Alberta to review these findings and subsequent recommendations and
14
GIPA/MIPA defined: GIPA (Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS) and MIPA (Meaningful
Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS) are principles that recognize the importance of building capacity
amongst PHAs and creating space for them to contribute in significant and meaningful ways to the HIV response.
engage the PHAs they serve (and those they dont yet) in meaningful discussion about how they can
optimize service delivery and better support Alberta PHAs in the future.
The PVC strongly believes we exist at a time of great opportunity as it relates to ending new HIV
infections, AIDS-related deaths, and HIV stigma. With increased priority given to the experiences, needs,
preferences, and contributions of those living with HIV, we believe that we can all reach that goal
together.

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The staff at my ASO is knowledgeable about matters related to HIV.

I feel like the staff at my ASO genuinely cares about PHAs.

The staff at my ASO is helpful.

The services offered by my ASO match well with my needs. (tie)

Financial support for people that are affected by the economy.

Provinces HIV Response

o Social Groups or Events (21)

Stigma and Support

HIV Treatment and Adherence

A Demonstrated Commitment to GIPA/MIPA:

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