HIV incidence and prevalence among aboriginal peoples in Canada.
We examined incidence, prevalence, and correlates of HIV infection in Aboriginal peoples in Canada and found that among most risk groups both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants showed similar levels of HIV prevalence. Aboriginal peoples who use illicit drugs were found to have higher HIV incidence and prevalence when compared to their non-Aboriginal drug-using peers. Aboriginal street youth and female sex workers were also found to have higher HIV prevalence. Among Aboriginal populations, correlates of HIV-positive sero-status include syringe sharing and frequently injecting drugs, as well as geographic and social factors such as living in Vancouver or having a history of non-consensual sex. This study is relevant to Canada and elsewhere, as Indigenous populations are disproportionately represented in the HIV epidemic worldwide.
Duncan
Katrina C
KC
Division of Epidemiology and Population Health, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
Reading
Charlotte
C
Borwein
Alexandra M
AM
Murray
Melanie C M
MC
Palmer
Alexis
A
Michelow
Warren
W
Samji
Hasina
H
Lima
Viviane D
VD
Montaner
Julio S G
JS
Hogg
Robert S
RS
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*