Local researchers are encouraging all HIV-positive New Zealanders to play a lead role in telling their story. A second round of HIV Futures, New Zealand's largest comprehensive study into the health and social experiences of people with HIV, will begin on 1st February. HIV Futures is a joint project led by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, Melbourne, in collaboration with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and community organisations like Body Positive, Positive Women, Poz Plus, Absolutely Positively Positive and the African Health Promotion Programme. Jonathan Smith, an HIV-positive man, has been appointed as New Zealand's HIV Futures liaison worker. He will be travelling all over New Zealand in the next few months, networking with clinicians, peer support groups and communities of HIV-positive people to encourage participation in the study. “This is a very important project, covering all aspects of living with HIV,” he says. “The findings are used to let community organisations, doctors, government and support services know what being HIV-positive is really like, and how our experiences are all different. We expect the results will be eagerly awaited by these groups, who will use this data in tailoring services to best meet our needs.” The last HIV Futures round in 2001 was the first study of its kind in New Zealand. 226 men and women across the country completed the survey, representing nearly a quarter of New Zealand's HIV-positive population. “The clinical and social aspects of living with HIV and AIDS change quickly, and the 2006 survey will help us track how much has changed in the last five years,” says NZAF Research Director Tony Hughes. “In addition to understanding the effectiveness of new treatments, HIV Futures collects data on other important issues such as social isolation, relationships, employment, housing and finances.” People can take part online at http://www.hivfutures.org.au/, or by filling in a written survey form, available through NZAF offices in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Both these methods are anonymous. Ref: NZAF (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 24th January 2007 - 12:00pm