HIV risk, systemic inequities, and Aboriginal youth: widening the circle for HIV prevention programming.
BACKGROUND
In Canada, Aboriginal people are overrepresented in the HIV epidemic and infected at a younger age than non-Aboriginal people. This paper discusses some of the ways Aboriginal youth in Toronto understand HIV/AIDS risk and the relevance of their comments for HIV prevention education. This research is part of a larger study conducted with Ontario youth through the Gendering Adolescent AIDS Prevention (GAAP) project.


METHODS
We conducted 11 GAAP focus groups with Ontario youth. This paper focuses primarily on the four groups of Aboriginal youth. A modified grounded theory approach guided analyses. Data were coded using Nud*ist qualitative data management software.


RESULTS
Aboriginal youth were more aware of HIV/AIDS and the structural inequities that contribute to risk than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. In addition, they were the only group to talk about colonialism in the context of HIV in their community. Aboriginal youth were, however, more likely to hold a fatalistic view of their future and to blame their own community for high infection rates.


CONCLUSIONS
We argue for incorporating structural factors of risk, including the legacy of colonialism, in HIV prevention programs for all youth. This may help to eradicate the stigma and self-blame that negatively impact on Aboriginal youth while allowing other youth populations to distance themselves from the disease.
Larkin
June
J
The Gendering Adolescent AIDS Prevention (GAAP) Project, Women and Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. Jlarkin@oise.utoronto.ca
Flicker
Sarah
S
Koleszar-Green
Ruth
R
Mintz
Susan
S
Dagnino
Michelle
M
Mitchell
Claudia
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D018595:Colonialism; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors