Kerry Bittner Communications Award

In Manitoba, injection drug use has been the most common mode of HIV transmission since 2018. Those who inject drugs are more likely to be infected with HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis C, often simultaneously. This is called a “syndemic” (many epidemics at the same time). In addition to HIV and syphilis, there are other 11 infections transmitted by sexual activity or blood products (called STBBIs).

In some people, a convergence of socio-economic factors, mental health concerns, violence and exploitation is driving a syndemic of new HIV and other STBBIs cases – with disproportionate representation of women who inject drugs. These determinants of health and disparities are exacerbated by public health measures. Methamphetamine use is growing in Manitoba and is known to affect access to care and treatment.

It is unknown how biological sex differences and gender intersect with living conditions, including experiences of violence and injection drug use. In this project, we will ask:

1. How many people (by sex and gender) living with HIV have other STBBIs before and during COVID-19, and who is most at risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections, and why?
2. How do sex and gender intersect with other factors to prevent this population from getting proper care and treatment that existed before and during COVID-19?

The explicit understanding of people living with HIV who use methamphetamine can identify unique gaps and resilience factors that can inform better, tailored testing and clinical and program responses.

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