Leading an Extraordinary Life: Wise Practices for an HIV ... - 2 Spirits

The same appears to be true for Two-Spirit men. In 1996, Dubois found that knowledge
of HIV does not seem to be translating into the reduction of high-risk behaviours. 21 In
2001, Voices of 2-Spirit men found that 50% of the sample acknowledged their need to
change certain behaviours. 22
In sum, while Two-Spirit men possess strong and accurate knowledge about the
methods of HIV infection, like other cultures around the world, this knowledge is not
automatically translating into the consistent adoption of safer sex practices.
1.6 Condom use
A number of studies have examined condom use in the Aboriginal population and
found much room for improvement. 23 In 1991, Calzavara et al. found 61% of a sample
400 aboriginal people did not use condoms. 24 Over ten years later, Voices found the same
number (61%) among Two-Spirit men when the authors asked, “have you had sex
without a condom in the past year”. 25 In 2003, the Métis National Council identified low
rates of condom use. 26
1.7 Motivation
HIV/AIDS social marketers always take into account a target group’s readiness or
motivation to adopt new behaviours. 27 Several studies show that Two-Spirit men do not
lack the motivation to adopt consistent safer sex behaviours. In CAAN’s 1998 survey of
126 Aboriginal sex trade workers and injection drug users, the answers to a series of
questions draws a picture of Aboriginal people who have excellent knowledge of HIV
and wish to protect themselves and others from HIV infection. In 2001, the authors of
ACT, “Explore your sexual horizons”, http://www.actoronto.org/website/home.nsf/pages/seseries
(2003); Turning Point 2004.
21 Dubois 1996.
22 Monette and Albert 2001: 2-3, 62.
23 S.L. Bullock et. al. “Unprotected intercourse and the meanings ascribed to sex by aboriginal people living
on-reserve in Ontario, Canada”, XIth International Conference on AIDS, Abstract no. Mo.D.483, 1996.
24 L.M. Calzavara et al., “Condom use among Aboriginal people in Ontario, Canada”, International Journal
of STDs and AIDS 9.5 (1998): 272-9.
25 Monette and Albert 2001: 45.
26 Métis National Council, Following the Red Cart – Métis and HIV/AIDS: The Basic Facts, (Ottawa:
2003).
27 François Largarde, “Best Practices and Prospects for Social Marketing in Public Health”, speech at the
89 th Annual Public Health Association on Best Practices in Public Health, Montreal, Quebec, 1998.
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