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Canadian Public Health Association

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Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Infections and Related Stigma

The prevention, treatment and management of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) — such as HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and human papillomavirus — continue to represent important public health issues in Canada. However, stigma and discrimination within health and social service settings often complicate public health efforts by creating barriers to people who try to access and use sexual health, harm reduction and STBBI-related services. Reducing stigma and discrimination requires more than one approach. Stigma and discrimination arise from individuals' attitudes, values, beliefs and practices in addition to health and social service organizations' policies, procedures, culture and environment.

CPHA has been funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund, to undertake the project, Engaging Community to Scale and Evaluate Stigma Reduction Interventions. CPHA, in collaboration with various professionals, organizations and individuals with lived and living experience, has developed a suite of professional development and knowledge translation resources focused on the reduction of stigma associated with sexuality, substance use and STBBIs. 

These resources, as well as supporting materials designed to help build capacity of health and social service organizations to implement stigma reduction training and interventions are available on the Training and education hub to address sexual health and harm reduction stigma (the Hub).

Learn more about how to access the workshop resources and the Hub by visiting the “Turnkey workshop resources” page (click "Learn more" link below). You can also access a recording of the webinar Introducing the training and education hub to address sexual health and harm reduction stigma (the Hub) on CPHA's YouTube channel:

For more information, please contact STBBI project staff.

Turnkey Workshop Resources

In collaboration with the Centre for Sexuality, CPHA has developed five professional development workshops focused on equipping frontline health and social service providers with the attitudes, knowledge and skills needed to reduce STBBI stigma.  All of the workshop resources, including a facilitation manual, a participant workbook and the presentation slides, are available on the Training and education hub to address sexual health and harm reduction stigma (the Hub) in a turnkey format to help you facilitate a training workshop in your community. 

The Hub provides content to support you in preparing for workshop delivery, covering topics including adult learning principles, trauma-informed facilitation, logistics for planning in person or online training, adapting workshop content and evaluating the impacts of your training.

Click “Learn more” for information about the available workshops and how to gain access to them on the Hub.
 

Learn more

ONLINE LEARNING

In addition to resources for facilitated training, CPHA offers self-directed online learning courses on STBBI stigma. Create an account on CPHA’s learning site to access these free online courses. Courses currently available are:

KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION TOOLS

CPHA has developed a number of knowledge translation tools to support health and social service providers to provide STBBI-related services. These resources underscore the individual and organizational factors required to enhance services and reduce STBBI-related stigma, and ultimately improve health outcomes for those affected by or living with STBBIs.

CPHA Webinar Series: Reducing Stigma Related to STBBIs, Sexuality and Substance Use

The stigma associated with sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), sexuality and substance use overlaps and intersects with other forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia and classism. Our webinar archives feature presenters from across the country who explore ways to better serve diverse communities with respect to sexual health, substance use and STBBIs. 

This series is primarily intended for health and social service professionals working in sexual health, harm reduction, or related services. Topics covered include sexual and reproductive health for Indigenous peoples, HIV stigma among different populations, stigma and sex work, and more.

All webinar recordings can be found on CPHA’s YouTube channel playlist, Webinar Series on Reducing STBBI-related Stigma.


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