Social Isolation and HIV Care: Identifying Causal Pathways of Social Isolation that Affect Treatment Adherence in Small Urban, Rural and Remote Communities in British Columbia (TIE: Treatment Adherence, Social Isolation, and Engagement)

Social isolation can be both a consequence and a contributing factor to poor adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART), leading to worse health outcomes and a higher risk of HIV transmission. Smaller urban, rural, and remote (SURR) communities in BC face unique challenges, including geographic isolation, limited healthcare access, and HIV-related stigma which all contribute to social isolation amongst people living with HIV.
This participatory research project will focus on identifying the causal pathways that lead to social isolation and exploring strategies to mitigate its effects. This understanding will enable us to develop targeted recommendations, informed by community, that can inform the policies and practices of SURR programs and services designed for people living with HIV. By addressing social isolation and its implications for ART adherence, we can improve health outcomes for PLHIV and contribute to a more equitable healthcare landscape across the province.

Faculty Supervisor:

Catherine Worthington

Student:

Partner:

Pacific AIDS Network Society

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Victoria

Program: