Future research / gaps identified:

Evaluate policy changes and resource mobilization initiated to address the issues stated in the findings.

Integration timeline: All participants were Canadian citizens, with an average length of HIV/AIDS status of 9 years.

Key findings:

1) Overall, ACB community members experience high levels of mistrust towards the healthcare system in Alberta. This lack of trust reduces the likelihood of engaging in HIV treatment and care.

2) Racism, discrimination, and stigma continue to profoundly impact the health and health-seeking behaviours of ACB community members. These impacts manifest through direct and indirect pathways, including disparities in access, poor quality of care received, and adverse treatment outcomes.

3) At the individual level, the fear of being stigmatized prevents ACB individuals from seeking care, accessing testing, disclosing their status, and adhering to treatment.

4) Participant experiences were grouped into four broad themes, which were: i) Health literacy and empowerment; ii) Non-belonging and invisibility; iii) Barriers to care and adherence; and iv) Psychosocial life impacts.

Key recommendations:

1) Develop greater sensitivity and knowledge among healthcare and service providers, such as providing culturally appropriate support services for the ACB population living with HIV/AIDS.

2) Create a comprehensive community awareness program to address discrimination, anti-Black racism, and stigma.

3) Expand efforts to recognize and mitigate barriers to care, such as poverty, accessibility, and settlement issues

Open access: No

Community organizations: n/a

Key populations: African, Caribbean and Black Albertans living with HIV/AIDS

Location: Alberta, not otherwise specified