CIHR Funded YSMENA Trans Photovoice Study

Culturally Responsive Sexual Health and Wellbeing Programming for Transgender Middle Eastern and North African Newcomer Young Adults in Ontario: Community-Based Participatory Research through Arts-Based Approaches.

There is a dearth of research on the unique challenges transgender newcomers and immigrant young adults face when accessing health and social services in the Canadian context. Transgender people have worse mental and physical health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, as compared to their cisgender peers. The CIHR Funded YSMENA Trans Photovoice Study is focused on building an understanding of the unique needs of MENA youth within Ontario and Canada.

Research Phases

Building on the team’s previous research with young adults from the MENA community in Ontario, the proposed study will use community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology to:

Examine barriers and facilitators in achieving positive sexual and mental health among trans, non-binary and gender-nonconforming MENA newcomers in Ontario
Catalyze community-led research planning and development activities that ensure the inclusion and meaningful representation of trans MENA newcomers
Develop culturally responsive services that will address the sexual and mental health needs of trans MENA newcomers
Engage transgender MENA youth and community service providers in strengthening capacity for knowledge mobilization.

Methodology

Informed by principles of intersectionality and community-based research, the study will engage 12-15 transgender MENA newcomer young adults, ages 21-35 years in Ontario as co-researchers and study participants in a participatory photovoice and visual arts research to co-create knowledge and understanding and engage in collective action.

2 months

Developing study guide with an

understanding of expectations from the photographs and ethical considerations

2 months

Develop rapport with the trans co-researchers

Introduce the research project

3 months

Data management

Record and transcribe all focus groups for further analysis

3 months

Selection

and

Contextualization

3 months

Codifying

Codes to Categories

3 months

Brainstorming and Orientation. Significant insights, themes, or concepts

Ongoing

Manuscripts

Art Exhibits

4 months

iKT products include:

Six (6) workshops to address sexual and mental health challenges and needs
Five (5) workshops for co-creating art content/products

Check Back for Updates

For enquiries or further updates about the CIHR Funded YSMENA Trans Photovoice Study, please contact us.

We value participation, collaboration and support.

CIHR Funded YSMENA Trans Photovoice Objective

A highly under-researched community, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) young adults in Canada face unique challenges in navigating HIV and sexually transmitted infections, even as the community grows rapidly due to high immigration rates.

Transgender MENA young adults, in particular, have been significantly immigrating to Ontario and identified as a key population.

This study is built on findings from previous studies, specifically the Youth Sexual Health and HIV/STI Prevention in Middle Eastern and North African Communities (YSMENA Study) led by Dr. Hawa (NPA) between 2019-2022, in partnership with the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention. Findings indicate that diaspora MENA youth in Ontario face barriers in accessing health services, social exclusion, and individual and systemic racism. Transgender newcomer MENA young adults, in particular, face unique challenges in accessing sexual health services.

Impact

Through participatory arts-based research processes, this project will explore sexual and mental health concerns as well as provide a platform for trans MENA young adults to share their voices and engage in collective action.

Our project has the potential to fill a significant gap in knowledge and understanding of the sexual health and HIV/STI prevention needs and well-being of transgender MENA newcomers in Ontario which will, hopefully result in culturally-responsive programming and policies that will improve access to services for this highly underserved community.