Abstract
Background: Cisgender and transgender women experience persistent inequities in HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, often compounded by systemic barriers and stigma (Threats et al., 2021; Sanchez et al., 2025). Nurse-led, women-centered models of care offer promising strategies to address these gaps, yet evidence on their implementation remains limited (Relf, 2022).
Purpose: This study explored barriers and facilitators to HIV/STBBI prevention and treatment within women-led, nurse-facilitated models of care in Ontario, Canada, to inform the co-design of inclusive, trauma- and violence-informed approaches.
Methods: Guided by community and service provider advisory boards, five stakeholder groups were engaged: women with lived/living experience, AIDS Service Organization (ASO) leadership, nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNs), and policy makers. Using rapid qualitative analysis techniques, data from 23 focus groups (88 participants) were synthesized to identify actionable strategies (Lacombe-Duncan et al., 2022; Vora & Badowski, 2024).
Results: Women emphasized leadership roles in governance, education, and service delivery, advocating for peer-led programs and integrated “one-stop shop” models combining medical, social, and emotional supports. NPs and RNs highlighted relationship-based care but noted systemic barriers such as certification pathways and physician-dominated structures. ASOs stressed sustained partnerships and embedding HIV services into organizational plans, while policy makers underscored early involvement for scalability and sustainability.
Conclusion and Global Nursing Implications: Findings provide a blueprint for equity-oriented HIV care models that can be adapted globally. Nurses are pivotal in co-designing holistic, inclusive services that integrate medical and social supports, strengthen partnerships, and advance health equity for women worldwide.
Notes
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References:
Lacombe-Duncan, A., Berringer, K. R., Green, J., Jacobs, A., & Hamdi, A. (2022). “I do the she and her”: A qualitative exploration of HIV care providers’ considerations of trans women in gender-specific HIV care. Women’s Health, 18, 17455057221083809. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221083809
Relf, M. V. (2022). Nurses, nurse-led interventions, and nursing models of care: Essential in HIV prevention, care, and treatment. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 33(4), 361–363. https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000348
Sanchez, A. L., Mills, C., Coley, D., Hoskins, K., Momplaisir, F., Gross, R., Brady, K. A., & Beidas, R. S. (2025). Systemic inequities, dignity, and trust in the context of HIV care: A qualitative analysis. International Journal for Equity in Health, 24, Article 123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02481-8
Threats, M., Brawner, B. M., Montgomery, T. M., Abrams, J., Jemmott, L. S., Crouch, P.-C., Freeborn, K., Kamitani, E., & Enah, C. (2021). A review of recent HIV prevention interventions and future considerations for nursing science. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 32(3), 373–391. https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000246
Vora, N., & Badowski, M. E. (2024). HIV preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis in women: A comprehensive guide for healthcare providers. Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease, 11, 20499361241300920. https://doi.org/10.1177/20499361241300920
Sigma Membership
Lambda Pi at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Primary Care, Policy and Advocacy, Public and Community Health, Women, HIV Infections, HIV Infections--Prevention and Control, Ontario
Recommended Citation
Haghiri-Vijeh, Roya; Campbell, Karen; Bennerman, Molly; Chiutsi, Grace; Barnett, Tamara; Perumal, Ramesh Venkatesa; and Biondi, Mia, "Advancing Equity in HIV Prevention and Care for Women: A Nurse-Led Model in Ontario" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 65.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/65
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Publisher-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-26
Advancing Equity in HIV Prevention and Care for Women: A Nurse-Led Model in Ontario
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Cisgender and transgender women experience persistent inequities in HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, often compounded by systemic barriers and stigma (Threats et al., 2021; Sanchez et al., 2025). Nurse-led, women-centered models of care offer promising strategies to address these gaps, yet evidence on their implementation remains limited (Relf, 2022).
Purpose: This study explored barriers and facilitators to HIV/STBBI prevention and treatment within women-led, nurse-facilitated models of care in Ontario, Canada, to inform the co-design of inclusive, trauma- and violence-informed approaches.
Methods: Guided by community and service provider advisory boards, five stakeholder groups were engaged: women with lived/living experience, AIDS Service Organization (ASO) leadership, nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNs), and policy makers. Using rapid qualitative analysis techniques, data from 23 focus groups (88 participants) were synthesized to identify actionable strategies (Lacombe-Duncan et al., 2022; Vora & Badowski, 2024).
Results: Women emphasized leadership roles in governance, education, and service delivery, advocating for peer-led programs and integrated “one-stop shop” models combining medical, social, and emotional supports. NPs and RNs highlighted relationship-based care but noted systemic barriers such as certification pathways and physician-dominated structures. ASOs stressed sustained partnerships and embedding HIV services into organizational plans, while policy makers underscored early involvement for scalability and sustainability.
Conclusion and Global Nursing Implications: Findings provide a blueprint for equity-oriented HIV care models that can be adapted globally. Nurses are pivotal in co-designing holistic, inclusive services that integrate medical and social supports, strengthen partnerships, and advance health equity for women worldwide.
Description
This study explores barriers and facilitators to HIV prevention and care for women in Ontario through women-led, nurse-facilitated models. Findings inform co-designed, equity-oriented approaches adaptable globally to advance inclusive HIV services.