Background: Canada has a long-standing history of being perceived as a desirable destination for potential students to travel to for their studies, as the country is perceived to be safe and welcoming, and the prestigious education system afforded to its students(1). In 2018, it was estimated that there were over 495,000 international students in Canada, with more than half (over 250,000) being in Ontario alone(2). Canada also has an incredibly diverse population of international students, with representation from over 186 countries(3). East and Southeast Asian countries in particular make up over one-third of all international students residing in Canada, with China alone making up 28% of all international students(3). The Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE), estimated that, in 2017, Toronto hosted approximately 168,730 international students, which was a 23% increase from 2015(3). However, it is worthwhile to note that even greater increases in enrolment have occurred in other cities, including Windsor (54% increase), Kitchener-Waterloo (39% increase), and St. Catherines-Niagara (27% increase)(3). With the upward trend of international students enrolling and attending Canadian universities or colleges, it is imperative that sexual health and HIV resources are not only available but must also be accessible (e.g. linguistically, culturally sensitive) to these demographics. However, a preliminary review carried out by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) found that resources on these subjects were limited on post-secondary school websites and resources. Additionally, resources about HIV provided by governmental bodies and affiliated agencies focused more on HIV non-disclosure laws and took a criminal punishment tone, contributing to the entrenched stigmas already in many of these communities.
ACAS2019/2020 ANNUAL REPORT
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