From Courage to Care: HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) Co-Infection in Ontario
The Ontario HIV/HCV Co-infection Working Group produced a series of video modules to:
- capture the lived experience of people co-infected with HIV/HCV
- provide practical information and resources for people at risk of, infected by, or affected by HIV/HCV co-infection, and the people who serve them
- address the gaps in care, treatment and support options available to people with HIV/HCV in Ontario
The modules include:
Living with HIV/HCV co-infection
This module explores the experience of three people living with HIV/HCV coinfection, examines the decision to undergo HCV treatment and highlights the challenges and complexities associated with managing this co-infection.
Holistic View of Care
A holistic view of care examines the connections between the social determinants of health and HIV/HCV treatment. It emphasizes the importance of providing access to care for marginalized people with HCV/ HIV and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to HIV/HCV treatment.
Seeking Treatment
Hepatitis C is treatable. This module provides information about treatment goals and options for HIV/ HCV co-infection. In addition to highlighting the duration, side effects and advantages of treatment, the module also discusses the benefits of early detection of HCV
Stigma
Through personal stories, this module defines stigma and explores the ‘blame’ component of and the stigma related barriers imposed by HIV/ HCV co-infection. It also examines the impact of co-infection on the mental health of people living with HIV/HCV.
Community Based Support
This module demonstrates the need for standardized community support services HIV/HCV co- infection care, treatment and support in Canada. It emphasizes the importance of the determinants of health approach to community based support by providing access to food, income support, housing as it contributes to overall health.
Harm Reduction
This module defines the goals of harm reduction and focuses on the need to reduce harms associated with drug use in a non judgemental manner by meeting people where they are. It highlights the importance of providing people with accurate and scientific information.
Rural Access to Care
Focusing on the work of AIDS Thunder Bay, this module outlines some of the challenges of HIV/HCV related rural health care in North Western Ontario. In order to maximize resources, the module illustrates how AIDS Thunder Bay continues to equip people in the community to support community members.