Grit and stigma: Gay men ageing with HIV in regional Queensland

Abstract

The ageing of the first generation of HIV long-term survivors brings into sharp focus the suffering that activism and the clinical management of HIV has not solved, particularly in regional areas. Although HIV is now usually a manageable chronic condition, it also involves navigating unrelenting social stigma. Quality of life beyond viral suppression is not assured. Despite a history of affected communities demanding equal partnership with health-care providers, an increasingly biomedicalized orientation risks neglecting the psycho-social needs of those with a history of trauma, depression and other co-morbidities often more difficult to manage than HIV itself.

Social Support Networks of People Recently Diagnosed with HIV in Queensland: A Qualitative Exploration

“…The Positive Directions model was unique to Australian jurisdictions in promoting a selfmanagement and wellness approach for PLHIV, but was defunded by the presiding conservative Queensland State Government in 2012 (Gardiner, 2018). Funding for the provision of comprehensive social care was withdrawn in favour of models with a singular focus; promoting treatment uptake and adherence (Gardiner, 2018).…”

“…The Positive Directions model was unique to Australian jurisdictions in promoting a selfmanagement and wellness approach for PLHIV, but was defunded by the presiding conservative Queensland State Government in 2012 (Gardiner, 2018). Funding for the provision of comprehensive social care was withdrawn in favour of models with a singular focus; promoting treatment uptake and adherence (Gardiner, 2018). This action coincided with Queensland Health cuts to public sexual health services and the defunding of the main Queensland LGBTI community organisation 'Healthy Communities' (formerly the Queensland AIDS Council) (Gardiner, 2018).…”

“…Funding for the provision of comprehensive social care was withdrawn in favour of models with a singular focus; promoting treatment uptake and adherence (Gardiner, 2018). This action coincided with Queensland Health cuts to public sexual health services and the defunding of the main Queensland LGBTI community organisation 'Healthy Communities' (formerly the Queensland AIDS Council) (Gardiner, 2018). QPP has expanded its program to support PLHIV to remain in care in Queensland.…”

“…Studies conducted in Australia demonstrate that PLHIV continue to report stigma and discrimination within clinical and community settings, even when stigma has been challenged through education and awareness raising (Centre for Social Research in Health, 2018;Slavin et al, 2011). Stigma can cause tensions within interpersonal relationships and impact PLHIV decisions to disclose or conceal their status among their social networks (Gardiner, 2018;Rai et al, 2018;Zukoski & Thorburn, 2009).…”

“…T2TQ was developed in response to findings that emerged from the Living Positive in Queensland (LPQ) Study; a collaboration between researchers at UQ and key HIV community organisations. The LPQ Study highlighted the unique experiences and challenges faced by people living long-term with HIV in rural and regional Queensland (Fitzgerald et al, 2016;Gardiner, 2018). A key finding of the LPQ study was that many PLHIV long-term were experiencing poor health, social isolation and financial precariousness (Fitzgerald et al, 2016;Gardiner, 2018 (Holland, Thompson, & Henderson, 2006).…”