Results at a glance - Horizontal Evaluation of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada 2013-14 to 2017-18

Introduction

• The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS (FI) in Canada is a horizontal initiative involving the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Indigenous Services Canada, and Correctional Service Canada.
• The FI is a key component of the Government of Canada's comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS. Through the four federal partners, the FI provides funding for prevention and support programs targeting priority populations, as well as research, surveillance, public awareness, and evaluation.
• Between 2013-14 and 2017-18, the FI represented an approximate annual investment ranging from $70 to $78 million.

What the evaluation found

• There is a continued need for federal investments and activities as HIV/AIDS remains a persistent public health issue that disproportionately affects priority populations. The work of FI partners aligns well with their respective legislated mandates.
• Activities led by all FI partners have increased HIV-related knowledge and awareness, and strengthened the capacity to prevent and control HIV among priority populations and target audiences. They have also contributed to the uptake of knowledge and behavioural changes among target audiences and priority populations.
• Awareness and uptake of some of PHAC's knowledge products appears limited among some target audiences, particularly general and family practitioners. In addition, the reach of PHAC-funded community-based activities could be better aligned with the most at-risk populations.
• While performance measurement data on FI activities has been collected, its use was not maximized, as data was not summarized and used in a systematic way.
• FI activities have contributed to a coherent national response to HIV/AIDS. FI partners have also worked on integrating their HIV response with their responses to others sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). This integration work resulted in the release of the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework for Action in June 2018. Stakeholders would benefit from more clarity on how, within this Framework, federal actions will be implemented to work towards STBBI elimination, including HIV.

Recommendations and responses

Considering the release of the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework, which has set the future of the integrated STBBI program, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), the following recommendations also apply to the evaluation of Viral Hepatitis and STI Activities at PHAC.

1. Determine how federal investments will contribute to the goals outlined in the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework for Action, including reducing STBBI-related stigma and discrimination, and align investments with those populations with the highest burden of STBBI. Communicate this to external stakeholders and Canadians. (For all FI partners)

   Response: Develop and implement the Government of Canada's Action Plan on STBBI that will outline the actions that will be undertaken by FI partners and other Government of Canada departments to contribute to the goals of the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework.

2. Explore partnerships and mechanisms to facilitate the dissemination and uptake of STBBI-related knowledge products. (Specific to PHAC)

   Response: Develop a strategy that outlines options and recommendations to enhance and facilitate the uptake of STBBI-related knowledge products including targeted activities for different stakeholder groups, such as primary care providers, and identify key stakeholders and partners who could support the development and mobilization of key products.

3. Enhance the use of performance information by simplifying indicators within the current performance measurement strategy to allow for annual reporting of results. (For all FI partners)

   Response: Review the existing STBBI performance measurement strategy to align with Government of Canada's Action Plan on STBBI and the agreed upon FPT STBBI Indicators Framework.

About this evaluation

The evaluation assessed the relevance and performance of Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada between 2013-14 and 2017-18. Methods used were literature review, document review (including performance information), key informant interviews with external and internal stakeholders, case studies, and review of financial data.