Barcelona 2013
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| Abstract #471 - E-Posters English | ||||
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Session: 50.94: E-Posters English (Poster) on Sunday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Brent Beadle - NAPWHA, Australia |
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| Additional Authors: Dr. Jordi Casabona, Sra Cristina Sanclemente, Dra. Anna Esteve, Dra. Victoria Gonzalez, Grupo HIVITS TS, | ||||
| Method / Issue: There are around 24,000 people diagnosed with HIV in Australia today, and it is estimated that between 30 ? 40% of the diagnosed population are not taking HIV treatments.As HIV treatment guidelines and clinical practice continue to move towards earlier initiation of HIV therapy, and as newer HIV drugs have markedly improved for patient tolerability and pill burden, knowledge gaps have appeared within the PLHIV population about these advances in HIV clinical management and more demonstrable benefits from maintaining viral suppression over the long term. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Data from qualitative research undertaken with HIV positive individuals across Australia shows that some people are not treating because they hold strong negative views about HIV treatments, often out of date and/or incorrect, especially related to serious side effects or toxicity issues. Australian data also consistently shows that the most trusted and reliable source of information for people about HIV and health management is their doctors, and thus many patients rely on their doctors to control their treatment and HIV management choices in a more passive dynamic. Commencing HIV therapy can be a fraught decision for people with HIV, and it is still the case that once a person starts on treatments, they should stay on them for the rest of their lives. | ||||
| Discussion: In the context of supporting people to make their own decision about HIV management, and empowered with the most up to date information, the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) conducted a national campaign to encourage people living with HIV to talk to their doctors about new developments in HIV treatments, understanding s of benefits of treatments for the individual patient, as well as for potential protections for partners. The campaign was innovative in several ways, including the use of general media rather than specific HIV or community mediums, and the work being developed outside of a traditional education model. An external evaluation has revealed the impact of this campaign and will be discussed. | ||||
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