Living with HIV in New Zealand: balancing health and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
This paper characterises the health and wellbeing of HIV-positive people in New Zealand.


METHODS
The HIV Futures New Zealand Survey is a self-complete anonymous questionnaire distributed in a variety of ways. Data were collected on health, clinical, and social variables.


RESULTS
There were 226 responses, estimated to be approximately 25% of the HIV positive population. Respondents were aged between 18 and 68, and 56% were homosexual men. Most (68%) reported a viral load on most recent test of below 500 copies/mL and 59% had a CD4 lymphocyte count on most recent test of over 250 cells/mcL. However, 28% reported a major health condition in addition to HIV and 21% had a mental health condition. Most respondents (64%) were currently using antiretroviral therapy. Many (84%) knew other people with HIV and had contact with an HIV/AIDS organisation (77%). Forty-two percent of respondents had stopped working because of HIV, and 47% reported their main source of income as a Government benefit.


CONCLUSIONS
This research has demonstrated that, while the HIV-positive population of New Zealand generally has improved health as a result of antiretroviral therapy, there are still significant social and economic barriers to their quality of life.
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Jeffrey
J
Grierson
Marian
M
Pitts
Matt
M
Whyte
Sebastian
S
Misson
Anthony
A
Hughes
Peter
P
Saxton
Mark G
MG
Thomas
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D019529:Sexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents