The vast majority of patients living with HIV are highly satisfied with their NHS treatment and care, according to a new study.
Positive Voices 2022, the UK’s largest survey of people living with HIV, showed the average satisfaction rate with HIV services was 9.4/10.
Over nine in 10 (91.7%) reported being satisfied with their treatment plan, with more than half (54%) of those surveyed now receiving a single tablet for treatment – this compares to around seven in 20 (35.7%) in 2017.
Despite the high levels of satisfaction, many people reported a stigma around their HIV status.
The latest report found that:
- Nearly half (45.1%) felt ashamed of their diagnosis
- One in three (32.1%) had low self-esteem due to their HIV status
- One in seven (13.7%) were worried about being treated differently to other patients
- One in 10 (10.4%) had kept their diagnosis a secret from everyone aside from healthcare staff
- One in 25 (4.3%) had been verbally harassed in the last year due to their HIV status
- One in 25 (4.3%) reported discriminatory comments from family members
Alex Sparrowhawk, HIV and ageing manager at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “The Positive Voices survey shows some progress in improving the lives of people living with HIV – but it’s clear that more work and investment is needed.
“It’s great that people reported a high level of satisfaction with their HIV care service. This is a testament to a highly committed workforce within HIV provision.”
Sparrowhawk added: “But living with HIV is about more than treatment and today’s report shows that we’re simply not having our needs met with many struggling to access psychological services as well as social and welfare support.”
Mental health remained a concern, with more than one in five (22%) reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression. Nearly half (49%) of those had been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
Matthew Fagg, director for prevention and long-term condition at NHS England, commented: “The NHS is committed to providing high quality care to people living with HIV which supports both their health and wellbeing and tackles any stigma or discrimination that these patients face because of their HIV status.”
The study was produced by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and was completed by over 4,600 people who were invited to take part through their local HIV clinic between April 2022 and March 2023.
Health protection consultant at UKHSA, Clare Humphreys, explained: “Stigma, anxiety and depression not only affects the welfare of people with HIV, but also stops people from accessing HIV care and treatment as well as accessing healthcare more broadly.”
She continued: “It is important that we continue to address the issues raised in this report in order to support the needs of people with living HIV and also help achieve the government’s ambition to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030.”
Image credit: iStock
