A constructivist approach to HIV/AIDS education for women within the Maritime Provinces of Canada

The primary objective of this research was to increase understanding of how women in the Maritime Provinces of Canada learn about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This research utilised a qualitative approach with specific methods including interviews, joint interviews and focus groups. Overall 44 women participated in this research. The data was analysed using a thematic approach. The main findings of this research are that (1) women in the Maritime Provinces of Canada may have incomplete information about HIV/AIDS and sexual health due to limited experience with the HIV/AIDS epidemic; (2) violence greatly affects the lives of women in this region; and (3) informal learning is the most important factor that determines what Maritime women know about HIV/AIDS. A primary recommendation from this research is that when working with adult women to increase their understanding of HIV/AIDS it is helpful to work within a constructivist framework in order to develop a deeper understanding of the magnitude and potential outcomes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.