HIV-positive people are now living longer lives as a result of advances in medical technologies. And the incidence of HIV in Europe is on the rise again. The result is an increasing prevalence which trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Improving the quality of life of people living with the disease has become a growing concern for patients’ advocates and policy makers.
In early 2004, the European Men's Health Forum (EMHF) decided to contribute to the debate by undertaking a study describing the quality of life of men and women living with HIV.
By consolidating knowledge from previous surveys and proposing the use of gender as a fresh and useful angle of analysis, the project aimed to provide useful keys to understanding expectations from the HIV community for the future.
Encompassing several dimensions never brought together before in a single multi-country study – diagnostic and treatment, physical and emotional wellbeing, and social and economic support - the questionnaire was opened to all HIV+ adults residing in Europe.
An online and paper questionnaire in English was piloted from July to October 2004, and was promoted to the eligible groups with the support of over 20 HIV patients’ organisations.
The data collection continued from November 2004 to March 2005, during which period the questionnaire was translated into French, German, Italian, and Spanish, and received the approval of the UK Multi-centre Research and Ethics Committee.
The findings were presented for the first time at the 3rd IAS Conference in HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on 25 July 2005.
