Publications
Hepatitis C
Through Pauktuutit’s sexual health work it became evident that there is also a need to raise awareness about hepatitis C among Inuit. Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus; it can sometimes be passed on through unprotected sex but is not the only risk factor. Injection drug use, sharing personal hygiene items and home-made tattoos are other common risk factors. Inuit communities require a significant amount of culturally relevant information of risks and factors in the area of blood borne infections. Research suggests that the pattern of infections and the various factors that place Inuit at risk are different from other Canadians and therefore hepatitis C prevention and health promotion should be different as well. For example, sharing is an Inuit value and practice so there is a need to explain the hazards of sharing things like tooth brushes and razors which could have infected blood on them. Pauktuutit’s efforts to address hepatitis C among Inuit have been based on the logical and progressive development and implementation of highly successful prevention and education activities, which are guided and informed by Inuit and other experts in the field. The hepatitis C program is guided by the Canadian Inuit HIV/AIDS Network.
Pauktuutit has engaged in hepatitis C projects to address issues of health disparities, cultural relevancy, health knowledge and resources in relation to hepatitis C. Current programming builds on the successful outcomes of the 2009/10 National Inuit Sexual Health Policy Forum and a series of focus groups carried out in 2009, 2011 and 2015 to capture Inuit knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards hepatitis C.
Forum and focus group participants have repeatedly identified the need for hepatitis C intervention by and for Inuit. Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada provides leading edge information on prevention, education and community mobilization. Pauktuutit has provided Inuit communities with information fact sheets, program delivery and resource manuals to be used by front line workers, and videos and posters for the general public. There was a successful Role Models Campaign where community members lent their voices to discuss hepatitis C. Pauktuutit has recently produced a brochure on tattooing and piercing, a poster on getting tested and series of short videos to provide culturally relevant hepatitis C information on getting tested, tattooing and piercing, and sharing personal hygiene items.
Partners
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Hepatitis Education Canada
- Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network
- CATIE
Contact Information
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
350 Sparks St. Suite 805,
Ottawa, ON K1R 0A4
T: 613-238-3977
Toll Free: 1-800-667-0749
Reception
info@pauktuutit.ca
For media inquiries:
communications@pauktuutit.ca
Gender-Based Violence
- – Access to Justice
- – Katinngak – Together
- – Addressing Gendered Violence against Inuit Women: A review of police policies and practices in Inuit Nunangat
- – NATIONAL INUIT ACTION PLAN on Missing and Murdered Inuit Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
- – The Red Amautiit Project
- – Inuit Women Taking the Lead in Family Violence Prevention
- – Intimate Partner Violence – Traumatic Brain Injury
- – Meeting Survivors’ Needs
- – Nipimit Nanisiniq – Finding Voice
- – Pilimmaksarniq – Engaging men and boys in reducing violence
- – Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and the Family Justice System Response
Contact Information
Nadia Noor, Manager, Violence & Abuse Prevention, Justice
Contact Information
Lema Ijtemaye, Manager, Social and Economic Development
lijtemaye@pauktuutit.ca