UBC Research Project
PI(s): Dr. Kathleen Deering
Host: UBC Division of Social Medicine (Department of Medicine)
Funder(s): National Institute of Mental Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, MacAIDS
Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS: Longitudinal Women’s Needs Assessment (SHAWNA)
Building on ongoing partnerships and community-based research with women living with HIV since 2005 as well as extensive consultation with community, clinical and policy experts, SHAWNA was officially launched in 2015. The project actively follows over 350 cis and trans women living with HIV in Metro Vancouver through semi-annual visits. SHAWNA includes both a community-based longitudinal cohort (semi-annual community-administered interview questionnaire and a clinical sexual health research visit) and a qualitative arts-based research component.
SHAWNA focuses on cis and trans youth and women (14+) who live and/or access services in Metro Vancouver, recruiting through women’s HIV providers, other key HIV providers (Oak Tree Clinic), self-referral, our peer research associate team, and community outreach. We are committed to MIPA/GIPA principles of meaningful inclusion and great involvement of women living with HIV. Women with lived experience have played a key role since the project’s inception, serving as community interviewers, Peer Research Associates and co-authors.
- Research Objectives
To understand the interpersonal, social and structural factors shaping women’s HIV outcomes and experiences navigating care through their lifetime.
- About SHAWNA
Team
UBC PIs: Dr. Kathleen Deering (longitudinal cohort), Dr. Andrea Krusi (qualitative/arts-based)
UBC Oak Tree Site PI: Dr. Mary Kestler, NIH joint PI: Dr. Kate Shannon
Research Project Staff: Elissa AiKema, Tara Axl-Rose, Desire King, Dana Krementz, Emma Kuntz (Project Coordinator), Melanie Lee, Lois Luo, Patience Magagula, Kat Mortimer, Candice Norris, Alex Martin, Colleen Thompson (Assistant Coordinator), Larissa Wakatsuki, Akanée Yamaki (Assistant Coordinator).
Research Project Students & Research Assistants: Colleen Dockerty, Carol He, Parisa Kabir, Sophia Ly, Mika Ohsuka, Harper Perrin, Lisa Zhang
Supporting Team Members: Peter Vann
Partners/Advisory
Oak Tree Clinic/BC Women’s Hospital, YouthCO, Afro-Canadian Positive Network of BC, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, Positive Living, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Positive Haven, McLaren House
Funders
Canadian Institutes for Health Research, MAC AIDS Foundation