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Current research

Approval no. RPEC 12/004

Positive Outlook - seeking participants to participate in research

This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of an online self-management program for men living with HIV in Australia.

If you agree to participate you will be randomly allocated to either the online Positive Outlook group or a control group. The Positive outlook group will participate in the online self-management program and complete a set of questionnaires at three time points. If you are allocated into the control group, you will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires at three time points and will then be given first priority to partake in the program should it be adopted for use by an organisation supporting positive people.

This study has been approved by the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Human Research Ethics Committee, the Victorian AIDS Council and the Alfred Hospital, and is being overseen by Dr Sonya Girdler (Occupational Therapist and Senior Lecturer, ECU), Dr Julian Elliott (Infectious Diseases clinician and Head of Clinical Research ID Department, The Alfred Hospital), Dr Sean Slavin (NAPWA), Dr Karalyn McDonald (Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University) and Sally Rowell (Western Australian AIDS Council).

What is the Positive Outlook Program?

Positive outlook is a 7 week online group self management program for men living with HIV. Participants will be asked to log onto the program for 90 minutes a week and complete modules, activities and contribute to various discussion boards. Participants can log in at whatever time suits them. The program focuses on the management of physical, social and emotional aspects of living with HIV. Participation is completely voluntary and you can remain anonymous. Particular attention is payed to disclosure of HIV and the management of HIV within intimate relationships.

Why participate in this study?

The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the Positive Outlook Program. If the program is proved to be effective, it may be used in the long term by various community organisations supporting the lives of positive people. By participating in this study, you will also be contributing to the development of more effective services and supports for people living with HIV.

Who is eligible?

  • HIV positive men over 18 years old who live in Australia
  • Identify as gay or MSM (men who have sex with men)
  • Can read and speak English
  • Basic computer skills
  • Access to a computer and the internet at least once a week for 90 minutes
  • Can commit to participating for 7 weeks

For more information please have a look at our website: http://www.positiveoutlook.org.au

Alternatively, contact Tanya Millard on 0421 049 706 or tmillar0@our.ecu.edu.au (the 0 is the number).

 

A metacognitive model for the link between HIV stigma and negative outcomes

Approval no. 12/001

The aim of this research is to better understand the links between psychological mechanisms (e.g., HIV stigma and thinking about your thought processes), health behaviours (i.e., medication adherence and disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners), and emotional experiences (i.e., presence of depressive or anxious symptoms) in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).

This research is unique and important as this is the first known study to explore the role of “thinking about thinking” (or metacognition) in connection with the health behaviours and emotional experiences of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). This area of research has been recently identified as an important mechanism to explain similar behaviours and emotions in other groups.

We hope that this novel research will prompt fresh insights into more effective interventions to improve health behaviours and depression/anxiety among HIV-positive MSM. Participation will involve completion of an anonymous 30 minute online survey. Approximately 80+ participants over 18 years will be recruited from the Sexual Health & HIV Service in Brisbane and advertising on social media sites, GLBT community organisations, the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health centre (VAC/GMHC) and word of mouth.

To participate in the study, please complete this confidential, anonymous survey.

 

Positive aging: Understanding and responding to the experiences of aging by people living with HIV

Chief Investigator Dr Julian Elliott Head of Clinical Research Dept. of Infectious Diseases at the Alfred & Monash Hospitals.

Approval number RPEC 2/002

The aim of this qualitative project is to inform the design of a program/service for people ageing with HIV.
The overall goal of the project is to explore the impacts of ageing and increased burden of chronic disease on people living with HIV and investigate social, welfare and health system approaches to improve experiences of ageing in this population.
The specific aims of the larger Positive Ageing project are:

  • Aim 1: To review the existing evidence base regarding HIV and ageing in Australia and internationally, including psychosocial issues, service models and policy.
  • Aim 2: To estimate the epidemiological profile of HIV and ageing in Victoria, including current and projected numbers of people living with HIV in specific age strata and estimated burden of    major chronic non-communicable conditions.
  • Aim 3: To provide an overview of HIV-specific and other services available for older people living with HIV in Victoria.
  • Aim 4: To explore the lived experience of ageing by people living with HIV in Victoria.
  • Aim 5: To develop, pilot and evaluate a program/service in response to the experiences and effects of ageing in people living with HIV.

If you are interested in participating and would like further information please call Lise on 9903 0520 or e-mail lise.saugeres@monash.edu.au