Sixth HIV survey underway

Sixth HIV survey underway

The sixth round of Australia’s longest-running survey of people living with HIV/AIDS is about to start again.

The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University has launched HIV Futures Six, the latest installment of the HIV Futures study which began 12 years ago.

Since its inception, the biennial survey has had around 1000 PLWHA participants and aims to see -œwhere people are at rather than advocating for change.

Lead researcher Dr Jeffrey Grierson said the study has provided the Centre with a -œrich source of information on the -œactual experience of people living with HIV/AIDS over the past decade.

The survey quizzes respondents on aspects of their lives including their work, financial situation, living arrangements, relationships and friendships.

It also investigates the health status of PLWHA, along with their use of medication and other therapies.

Grierson said one of the major changes over the last 12 years is the -œmassive advances in anti-retroviral treatment, lengthening the life spans and improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with HIV.

Financial insecurity is one thing, however, which hasn’t changed much over the past 10 years.

-œWe are still seeing extremely high levels of poverty among PLWHA. It’s clear that, for many people, living with HIV has made it much more difficult to build a career, Grierson said.

info: To fill out the survey online, go to: www.hivfutures.org.au Hard copies can be ordered by calling 1800 064 398 (freecall).

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