HIV prevention in Canada: A meta-ethnographic synthesis of current knowledge

Over the last 25 years Canadian researchers, policy makers, and non-governmental organizations have made significant strides developing our understanding and responding to the impact of HIV/AIDS, particularly through qualitative research efforts. Yet, there has been a lack of attention to integrating findings into a cohesive synthesis. This has important implications for future knowledge, development needs and for the utilization of qualitative research in HIV prevention practices and policy development. This research synthesis grant proposal was developed with a goal to systematically review the published qualitative evidence focused on HIV prevention health systems and to compare experiences across select populations. To support evidence-informed decision-making in three broad areas, the objectives of this proposal are: 1) to comparatively assess qualitative understanding of (a) HIV prevention for specified groups affected by HIV/AIDS in Canada and (b) where specific knowledge of prevention needs may be lacking; 2) to provide useful information and recommendations where research findings may not be well integrated into work undertaken at a federal/provincial policy level or at the local practice implementation level by providing information related to the effectiveness of prevention initiatives; and 3) to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the research response with respect to research areas and researcher roles. To accomplish the goal and objectives, research team members are proposing a participatory meta-ethnographic method to guide a structured systematic review of findings that will include an initial scoping exercise to select appropriate literature, conducting a quality appraisal of relevant studies for inclusion in a synthesis of HIV prevention research, and a main interpretive review guided by a meta-ethnographic approach informed by both a gender-based and Indigenous research perspectives.