HIV Futures 8: Protocol for a Repeated Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Survey of People Living with HIV in Australia

Abstract

IntroductionMore than 27,000 Australians currently live with HIV. Most of these people have access to quality clinical care and antiretroviral treatment (ART) and can expect good general health. However, HIV-related stigma is a problem and many people living with HIV experience poorer than average mental health. Issues of aging are also of increasing concern. This paper describes the methods and sample for the HIV Futures 8 study, a national survey of people living with HIV in Australia that aimed to identify factors that support health and well-being among this population. HIV Futures 8 forms part of a series of cross-sectional surveys (The “HIV Futures” studies) that have been repeated periodically since 1997. In the most recent survey, participants were able to opt into a prospective longitudinal study.Materials and equipmentHIV Futures 8 was open to people aged over 17 who were living with HIV. Data were collected in 2015/2016 using a self-complete survey that contained approximately 250 items related to physical and mental health, use of ART, HIV exposure and testing, financial security, social connectedness, relationships, life satisfaction, resilience, stigma, use of health and support services, and health literacy. To enable comparison of cross-sectional data over time, questionnaire items were consistent with those used in previous HIV Futures surveys. In HIV Futures 8, participants were invited to volunteer coded information that will allow longitudinal follow-up when participants complete subsequent HIV Futures surveys. The survey was advertised through the networks of HIV organizations, on social media and through HIV clinics and services. HIV Futures 8 was completed by 895 participants. This represents approximately 3.8% of the total number of people living with diagnosed HIV in Australia in 2014.Expected impact of the study on public healthFindings from HIV Futures 8 will contribute important insights into the complexity of factors that support physical and mental well-being among people living with HIV. The findings will also assist HIV services to align with broader public health goals related to increasing ART use and improving quality of life among people living with HIV.

Perceptions of HIV cure research among people living with HIV in Australia

“…The sample size for this study was small and interviewees were predominantly Caucasian Australians, the majority of whom identified as gay men or men who have sex with men. This is not uncommon in studies of PLHIV in Australia and broadly reflects the demographic characteristics of PLHIV in Australia [ 48 ]. However, the findings here may not reflect the views of people from migrant and non-English-speaking backgrounds or many women living with HIV.…”

Bisexual Men Living with HIV: Wellbeing, Connectedness and the Impact of Stigma

“…These data are drawn from the 2015-2016 round of a repeated, cross-sectional survey of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Australia, the HIV Futures 8 survey, which is conducted every 2.5 years. Full details of the study protocol and method have been published elsewhere [21]. Ethics approval for the study was granted through the La Trobe University College of Science, Health and Engineering Human Ethics Committee (S15-100).…”

‘The spiral just keeps on going’: Cascading health and social issues for women living and aging with HIV

“… 23 The income of most female participants was well below the Australian average, and more than half had experienced significant financial stress in the past year, with one in three experiencing food insecurity. 23 …”