Project Summary
The Peer Navigators Project is a collaborative research project, that brings together researchers and community partners in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, and London) and Kenya (Eldoret/Huruma and Kitale) to explore and evaluate the use of peer supports for street-involved youths’ access to HIV and AIDS prevention, testing and treatment. The study has been following the implementation of peer navigators in all study sites since 2019. All peer navigators are between the ages of 18-29 and have a diversity of life experiences and identities. Intended outcomes include: A ‘how to adapt’ module of national best practices guidelines for peer-based interventions; increased self-reported knowledge, attitudes and health services utilization; improved uptake of and adherence to healthcare services; improved linkage to and retention in HIV care; equitable healthcare services.
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Publications
MacEntee, K., Lee, E.O.J., Oudshoorn, A., Abramovich, A., Kiptui, R., Ayuku, D., Van Berkum, A., Saarela, O., Tang, T.S., Apondi, E., Wachira, J., MacDonald, S.A., & Braitstein, P. (2022) Using scenario videos with theatre testing method to adapt a peer navigator model to improve street-connected youth accessing HIV care in Kenya and Canada. Frontiers in Public Health,10(975117). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.975117
Khan, M., MacEntee, K., Kiptui, R., Berkum, A., Oudshoorn, A., Ayuku, D.O., Lee, E.O.J., Abramovich, A., MacDonald, S., Apondi, E., & Braitstein, P. (2022) Barriers and facilitators of accessing HIV services for street-involved youth in Canada and Kenya. BMC Public Health, 22(1901). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14290-7