ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) company majority owned by GSK, with Pfizer and Shionogi as shareholders, recently announced interim data from the third wave of the global Positive Perspectives (PP3) study of people living with HIV. Initial results show that while a high proportion of individuals trust their healthcare provider (HCP), a communication gap exists.
Many participants indicated that they sometimes feel unheard by their HCP, and did not make decisions together about their current antiretroviral (ART) regimen. Joint decision-making was associated with improved satisfaction with treatment and care, while higher treatment satisfaction was associated with good mental, physical, sexual, and overall health for people with HIV. Those who were satisfied with their ART regimen were less likely to intentionally skip doses and more likely to report good overall health outcomes.
While the majority of individuals said they were satisfied with their ART regimen, many indicated concerns around the potential long-term effects of ART (53%, 374/698), treatment-related weight gain (48.6%, 339/698), and the unwanted reminder of HIV with daily medication (43.2%, 301/698). These data highlight the importance of taking patient preferences and concerns into account when selecting ART regimens and the continuing need for reassessment.
The Positive Perspectives studies have been co-created with community representatives from around the world to capture and amplify the experiences of people living with HIV. This interim analysis from PP3 included 698 people across 16 countries, and once complete will be one of the largest surveys of people living with HIV, including more than 3,000 participants across 29 countries.
‘Undetectable = Untransmittable’ (U=U) knowledge and belief still need improvement, according to the data. While 93.7 per cent (n=654/698) of those surveyed reported being aware of U=U (when someone with an undetectable HIV viral load on treatment cannot transmit HIV through sex), only 58.1 per cent (380/654) of those indicated that they believed in U=U and 31.1 per cent (203/654) were unable to explain U=U to others. Belief in U=U was associated with positive psychosocial outcomes such as enjoyment of sex and the perception of reduced internal and external stigma.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner Clarence Soliman, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin said: “As a nurse working closely with people living with HIV every day, I see firsthand how vital it is to build strong, trusting relationships with our patients. The findings from this study highlight the significant impact of joint decision-making on treatment satisfaction and overall health.
“When patients feel heard and involved in decisions about their ART they are more likely to stick to their treatment plan and experience better health outcomes. Listening to patients’ concerns and preferences is essential; it not only fosters trust, but also empowers them to take an active role in their healthcare journey. By prioritising patient-provider communication and collaboration we can improve satisfaction with care and support our patients in leading healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
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