July 26, 2018
Written by Diego García Morcillo
This article originally appeared on ViiV Healthcare. Reposted with permission.
The new data explores partners’ perspectives on the support they provide to their HIV-positive partner, the role they play in treatment decision-making and the challenges they may face associated with their partner’s HIV.[i]
We spoke with Diego to understand what could be learned from the Positive Perspectives survey and how the findings may impact future HIV care and provision of support.
I found the responses on emotional support and its role in decision making especially regarding antiretroviral therapy very interesting. One of the most interesting findings in the survey is the difference in emotional support, information and education available to partners who themselves are living with HIV compared to partners who are HIV-negative. Although 63%(157/250) of partners feel as though they are heavily involved in the support of their partner living with HIV[1] those living with HIV can more easily access different services and discuss worries and doubts with their doctor or community.
The survey results highlight that we still need to improve the educational and emotional support provided to couples where one of them is HIV-negative. Regular updates can help to make partners feel fully engaged and assist them with supporting their HIV-positive partners. Making the right choices and discussing with the doctor the most appropriate treatment options can have a big impact on their lives together.
The findings reinforce the necessity to create services that empower partners of PLHIV to feel more engaged in all aspects of decision making and support. We know that engaging partners is crucial for the wellbeing of PLHIV. Living with HIV and taking antiretroviral treatment has an impact on the HIV-positive person but also on their partner and wider support system.
One of the basic pillars in a relationship, being a partner or a significant other, is based on meaningful and honest communication, and sharing of both worries and fears. We can see this with 74% (248/335) of PLHIV looking to their partner for emotional support, medication reminders (52%, [174/335]) and decisions about what they need to discuss with their doctor (44%, [146/335]).[ii]
It is essential that partners respect the evolving needs of their HIV-positive partner and are there to support them during their journey with HIV. PLHIV sometimes hide their fears and feelings from their partners so as to not worry them. A more open conversation showing mutual understanding and prejudice free trust will help to build a strong relationship.
Although good progress is being made, we still have a way to go. We need to open new channels of communications between partners and doctors as well as facilitate better access to NGOs, counsellors, peers, social and community services. Doctors should be aware of all these resources and inform partners to help build a broad support network between healthcare professionals, social services and the HIV community.
The partner results mirror what we see every day in our community centre in Seville, Adhara. We are currently running support groups for couples when one is HIV-negative, to provide the latest HIV information and skills to help build confidence in each other. We see couples engaging in meaningful and trusting conversations regarding all aspects of their relationship, including those related to HIV and their medication. These groups also help to give structure to future doctor visits where both PLHIV and partners can raise any issues concerning their wellbeing, treatment, co-morbidities or ageing.
[i] Garcia Morcillo D, et al. Partners of People Living with HIV (PLHIV): Findings from the Positive Perspectives Survey. Presented at the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018), 23-27 July 2018, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Abstract number #6157.
[ii] Positive Perspectives Survey, 2017 DOF
Diego García Morcillo is currently the Director of Sevilla Checkpoint, a specialist community centre in Spain focused on the early detection of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. For the past two years Diego has been part of an expert panel for the Positive Perspectives survey, contributing both professional knowledge as well as personal experiences from living with HIV.
Diego is heavily involved in improving the provision of HIV care and is a member of the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), European Community Advisory Board (ECAB), Coordinator of the Spanish CAB-FEAT and community representative on the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) co-infection panel.
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