Drumbeat – Culturally responsive STBBI prevention services for ACB communities | CATIE - Canada's source for HIV and hepatitis C information

What is the program?

The Drumbeat program at SafeLink Alberta provides a variety of culture-based events to bring African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities together. It aims to create spaces for individuals to learn about topics related to HIV, hepatitis C, other sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs) and harm reduction while fostering community connections and cultural pride. Program participants can also receive referrals for other services and systems navigation support through a case manager.

SafeLink Alberta offers educational events, outreach services and a variety of programming to underserved communities in Calgary and Medicine Hat, particularly those disproportionately impacted by HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBIs. Services include testing for HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBIs, individual and group peer support, systems navigation and distribution of safer sex and drug use supplies.

Why was the program developed?

People from ACB communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV and other STBBIs. However, fear and stigma associated with these infections, as well as social and structural factors, can create barriers to accessing prevention, testing and treatment. The Drumbeat program was developed to reduce barriers by providing culturally responsive services and fostering a safe, judgment-free space to discuss topics that are often seen as taboo.

Attending educational events focused on HIV and other STBBIs may create fear of judgment and discrimination. Seeing a gap in culturally responsive services for ACB communities in Calgary, SafeLink Alberta developed the Drumbeat program to provide tailored educational events rooted in cultural practices that are familiar among ACB communities, to offer a safer environment in which to learn about STBBI prevention. Drumbeat events foster connections among community members, which builds comfort and trust, making education more accessible. This encourages individuals to connect with essential resources and care.

How does the program work?

The Drumbeat program delivers events aimed at bringing ACB communities together to connect socially through activities that celebrate African cultures. Events are hosted in Calgary and include opportunities to cook together, share food and play games, with some events occurring on a quarterly basis and others annually. The Drumbeat program activities are open to anyone who identifies as African, Caribbean or Black, including individuals affected by HIV and other STBBIs and people of all genders and sexual orientations. During the events, educational content is offered on a variety of topics, ranging from HIV, hepatitis C, STBBIs and sexual health to harm reduction. To prevent stigma and fear of being judged, events are intentionally framed as a cultural activity with an educational component, rather than being advertised as educational sessions.

The Drumbeat program is led by the ACB systems navigator, who coordinates the events with support from volunteers. During each event, SafeLink Alberta education coordinators and external experts (e.g., clinicians) are invited to deliver educational content on a variety of topics (e.g., HIV, sexual health). Topics are selected on the basis of the needs and interests of attendees and rotate frequently to provide information on a broad range of topics. Occasionally, topics are selected on the basis of consultations with program participants. Events usually take place on weekends over the span of three hours and participants can access safer sex supplies (i.e., condoms and lube) and harm reduction supplies (i.e., injection and inhalation drug equipment) for free.

Individuals primarily hear about the program from previous attendees in their community. Program participants may also hear about the events through posters placed in local universities and colleges and through social media advertisements. There is high demand for the sessions, and each one usually has a new group of attendees, although some individuals may participate in multiple events. Individuals who are interested in participating contact the ACB systems navigator directly so that the ACB systems navigator can arrange to have sufficient supplies at the event, but individuals occasionally bring additional friends or family members. Most events are hosted at the Calgary SafeLink Alberta office, with events that require specific facilities (e.g., a commercial kitchen) held in other community spaces.

Quarterly events

African Kitchen brings individuals together to learn about the culinary traditions of various African countries, including Cameroon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo. During African Kitchen, cultural dishes are shared among participants while they discuss topics related to HIV, hepatitis C, other STBBIs and harm reduction. In many ACB communities, food is used to foster community spirit and cultural connections; gathering participants to cook and enjoy a variety of African dishes enables them to engage in a familiar activity in a welcoming atmosphere, allowing them to meet new people and learn important prevention information. African Kitchen events are hosted in other community spaces with access to a commercial kitchen where the food can be prepared. A SafeLink Alberta education coordinator or the ACB systems navigator usually provides a brief educational presentation or facilitates a discussion among participants about a topic while they are waiting for their meals. Participants complete a brief quiz at the end of the session to assess learning, and prizes are provided for individuals who are engaged during the event. Separately, feedback is also collected from participants about what they learned to inform future sessions.

The Ping Pong Drum Tournament allows participants to engage in a friendly ping pong competition while building connections with one another over light refreshments and snacks. The Ping Pong Drum Tournament is hosted at the SafeLink Alberta office, which has a ping pong table and equipment for participants. By taking part in a fun activity that encourages interaction among participants, individuals become comfortable engaging with other community members. After the tournament, the ACB systems navigator facilitates an informal discussion about a topic related to STBBI prevention (e.g., “How would you respond if your partner told you they were HIV positive?").

Under the Mango Tree offers a social and cultural space where participants can connect with one another while celebrating African cultures. African dishes are provided to participants while they engage in conversation, and an external expert (e.g., physician) is invited to present on a topic generally related to STBBIs. Topics typically include STBBI prevention (e.g., how to use condoms and harm reduction supplies), systems navigation (i.e., how to get tested and treated), and information on various STBBIs impacting ACB communities, like HIV and syphilis.

Annual event

Drum’ Art is an event held each December at the SafeLink Alberta office that brings Drumbeat event participants together for a series of artistic performances. Individuals may showcase a range of artistic talents during their performances, including singing, dancing, poetry, painting and other forms of creativity. The performances include key messages for individuals impacted or affected by HIV and other STBBIs, aimed at spreading awareness and reducing stigma about these topics among ACB communities. During the event, the participants choose the messages to be conveyed and how to express them artistically; they often incorporate learnings from other Drumbeat events.

Case management and referral services

The ACB systems navigator provides case management services to Drumbeat program participants; this includes referrals to community services (e.g., income and housing support, immigration issue resolution) and one-on-one systems navigation support (e.g., appointment accompaniment). Individuals in need of STBBI testing and treatment can access a nurse at SafeLink Alberta or be linked to care in the community for services not provided in-house (e.g., HIV treatment). Individuals interested in case management services are primarily referred through word of mouth from others who have accessed services, but individuals can also express interest to the ACB systems navigator during a Drumbeat event. Occasionally, individuals may be referred for case management through another organization (i.e., newcomer settlement services) or connected with the ACB systems navigator at a SafeLink Alberta booth during a community event.

Advisory committee

The Drumbeat program plans its events with the Drumbeat Advisory Committee. This committee is composed mainly of ACB community members and individuals with expertise in HIV and related STBBIs and meets quarterly to advise on program activities. The committee helps the ACB systems navigator develop program ideas, address challenges and identify topics for educational sessions, and committee members occasionally act as external experts for these sessions.

Required resources

Space to host social events (e.g., office space)
ACB systems navigator
Internal education coordinators familiar with STBBI content
External experts to provide education on specific topics
Advisory committee with members from the ACB community and/or expertise in STBBI content
Volunteers to support event facilitation
Food and access to a commercial kitchen to prepare cultural dishes
Supplies for games (e.g., ping pong table, paddles and ball)
Safer sex and harm reduction supplies
Posters in public spaces and social media advertisements for events

Evaluation

Between January 2024 and November 2025, the Drumbeat program engaged numerous participants in their events:

African Kitchen: 41 attendees over two events
Ping Pong Drum Tournament: three attendees over two events
Under the Mango Tree: 14 attendees over three events
Drum’Art: 11 attendees at one event

Safer sex materials were also distributed at several events:

African Kitchen: 416 condoms and 21 lubes distributed over two events
Under the Mango Tree: 1176 condoms and 100 lubes distributed over three events

Participants provided brief feedback on some sessions. When asked about what they liked about the education offered at events, participants responded as follows:

“It opened my mind and taught me things I did not know.”

“I liked it because it enlightened me ... on [certain topics], especially HIV and AIDS.”

When asked for suggestions for future African Kitchen events, participants provided the following feedback:

“… I think more time advocating, I felt like there was limited time.”

“It has been a good session ... it’s good to have such events so that we can share some ideas.”

Challenges

It can be challenging to advertise the events in a way that is engaging and accessible for ACB communities without creating fear of judgment or stigmatization.
Participants may be hesitant to take safer sex and harm reduction supplies during events, because of barriers like stigma around sexual health and a lack of discreet access.
There are occasional challenges finding an external expert who can speak about specific topics.

Lessons learned

People are more willing to attend an educational session on STBBIs when it is integrated with a more lighthearted or enjoyable activity.
An educational session where participants can share their own beliefs and experiences during the discussion generates more engagement and provides an opportunity for Drumbeat staff and facilitators to learn from program participants (e.g., insights into what messages and topics are most relevant to participants).