Cultural Competence for HIV/AIDS Services and Agencies. Nandini Ray Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service

Project Aims Increase the capacity of HIV services and organisations to work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities Increase the inclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from CALD backgrounds in the strategic planning of HIV/AIDS services

Increase the capacity of HIV services and organisations to work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities

Increase the inclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from CALD backgrounds in the strategic planning of HIV/AIDS services

Cultural Competence Cultural Competence requires that individuals and organisations have a clearly defined, congruent set of values and principles and demonstrate behaviors, attitudes, policies, structures and practices that enable them to work effectively cross culturally. … More than awareness of cultural differences as it focuses on the capacity of the health system to improve health and wellbeing by integrating culture into the delivery of health services.

Cultural Competence requires that individuals and

organisations have a clearly defined, congruent set of

values and principles and demonstrate behaviors,

attitudes, policies, structures and practices that enable

them to work effectively cross culturally.

… More than awareness of cultural differences as it focuses

on the capacity of the health system to improve health and

wellbeing by integrating culture into the delivery of health

services.

Why Cultural Competence? The latest HIV/AIDS strategy: “Revitalising Australia’s Response 2005 – 2008”,identifies CALD populations as a priority. Between 2002 – 2005, 20% of national HIV notifications were amongst people born in non English speaking regions of the world. The profile of HIV/AIDS among CALD communities reflects different patterns of risk with almost equal notifications divided among gay men and heterosexual men and women.

The latest HIV/AIDS strategy: “Revitalising Australia’s Response 2005 – 2008”,identifies CALD populations as a priority.

Between 2002 – 2005, 20% of national HIV notifications were amongst people born in non English speaking regions of the world.

The profile of HIV/AIDS among CALD communities reflects different patterns of risk with almost equal notifications divided among gay men and heterosexual men and women.

National Assessment of Learning Needs Conducted through an online survey ( www.surveymonkey.com ) Two national focus groups consisting of peak national bodies, frontline workers and health departments were established to inform the development of the survey Survey was distributed by the MHAHS to HIV/AIDS services and organisations nationally.

Conducted through an online survey ( www.surveymonkey.com )

Two national focus groups consisting of peak national bodies, frontline workers and health departments were established to inform the development of the survey

Survey was distributed by the MHAHS to HIV/AIDS services and organisations nationally.

Results Received over 300 responses – more than double the amount expected. Majority of respondents from NSW, Victoria and Queensland. One third from rural/regional areas.

Received over 300 responses – more than double the amount expected.

Majority of respondents from NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

One third from rural/regional areas.

Key Findings 88% of total respondents stated that people from CALD communities accessed their services. These respondents generally felt comfortable working with CALD communities 54% of respondents did not feel confident in developing CALD specific services. One third of respondents stated they did not understand the specific cultural needs of their CALD clients.

88% of total respondents stated that people from CALD communities accessed their services.

These respondents generally felt comfortable working with CALD communities

54% of respondents did not feel confident in developing CALD specific services.

One third of respondents stated they did not understand the specific cultural needs of their CALD clients.

Key Findings Majority stated that CALD populations were a priority for their organisations 50 % of respondents felt their organisations were only ‘somewhat’ effective at reaching CALD communities. Over a third felt their organisations were not culturally competent Rated their own cultural competence higher.

Majority stated that CALD populations were a priority for their organisations

50 % of respondents felt their organisations were only ‘somewhat’ effective at reaching CALD communities.

Over a third felt their organisations were not culturally competent

Rated their own cultural competence higher.

Key Findings Key Challenges: Language and communication Accessing local CALD communities Values and beliefs Access to services can only be improved if all aspects of cultural competency are enhanced.

Key Challenges:

Language and communication

Accessing local CALD communities

Values and beliefs

Access to services can only be improved if all aspects of cultural competency are enhanced.

Training Modules Individual Cultural Competency Working with individual CALD clients Population Cultural Competency Accessing and working with local CALD communities Organisational Cultural Competency Service and organisational systems including policies and procedure.

Individual Cultural Competency

Working with individual CALD clients

Population Cultural Competency

Accessing and working with local CALD communities

Organisational Cultural Competency

Service and organisational systems including policies and procedure.

Conclusion Results of the national assessment indicate that a majority of respondents would benefit from a tailored cultural competency training package.

Results of the national assessment

indicate that a majority of respondents

would benefit from a tailored cultural

competency training package.

Further information Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service Tel: 1800 108 098 www.multiculturalhivandhepc.net.au

Multicultural HIV/AIDS and

Hepatitis C Service

Tel: 1800 108 098

www.multiculturalhivandhepc.net.au