This webinar aimed to provide greater awareness of social and behavioural research methods and methodologies; to increase knowledge and understanding of the strengths and limitations of survey research; and increase knowledge and understanding of the strengths and limitations of qualitative longitudinal research. It was one in a series of research capacity building webinars being programmed by the NAPWHA Research Initiative. The webinar was facilitated by Dr John Rule, Senior Research Manager NAPWHA and Dr Jeanne Ellard joined the webinar as a discussant.

“After attendting this webinar, I would like to be more involved in HIV research – completing surveys, being interviewed, being part of an advisory group. As a worker in the HIV sector, a woman, and a peer I feel I have a unique and valuable perspective (as does everyone).” 

Dr James MacGibbon (Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW) a social and behavioural scientist researching HIV prevention and coordinator for the Gay Periodic Surveys, provided an overview of the strengths and limitations of survey research for understanding the HIV epidemic in Australia, including the kind of knowledge it produces and the ways that it can inform the HIV response in Australia.

Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald (School of Public Health, University of Queensland) a public health sociologist with research interests in the health and wellbeing of people experiencing marginalisation and the social determinants of (sexual) health and Associate Professor Allyson Mutch (School of Public Health, University of Queensland), a Senior Fellow in the Higher Education Academy, who uses qualitative methods to investigate the health and wellbeing of people who are socially excluded also gave a presentation. Lisa and Allyson outlined the strengths and limitations of using qualitative longitudinal research methods for producing new knowledge related to the experience of living with HIV in Australia; they also discussed ways in which this type of knowledge can be used to inform HIV health and wellbeing services in Australia.

“I really see the value in looking at people over time (longitudinal Qualitative),and appreciate the dedication, difficulties and complexities of this format – this provides a really interesting viewpoint across the historical contexts and how this might influence perceptions, care, issues, outcomes, etc – context is critical to take in to account when looking at any information.”

“The seminar was a reminder about the importance of building trust as a non-indigenous worker and respecting culture.”

The Positive Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Network (PATSIN) and the National Association of People living with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) hosted a webinar on Epidemiological and public health research related to Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander People living with and affected by HIV, on Wednesday 22^nd March 2023. The webinar was attended by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People living with and affected by HIV and people working with, or connected to, HIV community organisations working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It was one a series of research capacity building webinars being programmed by the NAPWHA Research Initiatives and was attended by thirty-five people across Australia. 

“The discussion from HIV Futures is a good reminder about the ongoing gap in social determinants of health in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, and the complexity of this.”

Dr John Rule, Senior Research Manager at NAPWHA facilitated the webinar which included three presentations followed by a Q&A discussion The webinar was to be co-facilitated by Ms Michele Tobin, PATSIN Convener, who unfortunately could not attend.

Dr Skye McGregor (Kirby Institute UNSW) provided an overview of the discipline of epidemiology, including the type of epidemiological methods she uses, and the kinds of knowledge and information it produces. Dr McGregor talked about the current surveillance data relating to HIV among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People living with and affected by HIV, and the implications of this data for policy, health promotion and health service delivery.

Dr Thomas Norman Australian Research Centre in Sex Health and Society, La Trobe University) provided a brief overview of the HIV Futures Study including the methods and type of knowledge and information it produces. Thomas also talked about findings from the HIV Futures Study in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People living with and affected by HIV and implications for policy, health promotion and health service delivery.

Kristy Gardner, a Kamilaroi woman, who had received the inaugural Yiaga Ngarnga PhD scholarship at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in 2022, provided the final presentation. Kristy drew on her experiences of working on the Fostering the sexual well-being of Aboriginal young people by building on social, cultural, and personal strengths Project, at Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, to talk about innovative, culturally sensitive, and strengths-based approaches to doing research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. 

Interested in joining PATSIN and hear about more of these events? Sign up now.

“I was inspired by the information about the inclusion of Indigenous ‘peers’ to engage in focus groups and research, and the additional benefits of this approach when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.”

Bi+ and living with HIV: Learning from our experience

 Research shows Bi+ people with HIV have important unmet needs for education, services and support. For Bi+ Health Awareness Month, NAPWHA ran a webinar on ‘Bi+ and Living with HIV – Learning from our experiences’. This dynamic webinar was hosted by Daniel Reeders, Learning Project Officer at NAPWHA.

Participants were given the opportunity to discuss the diverse needs, identities and experiences of Bi+ people with HIV. We heard from researcher Bella Bushby plus three Bi+ people with HIV with a perspective that is both practical and personal. 

NAPWHA Learning Podcast episodes.

In this episode of the NAPWHA Learning podcast, Daniel chats with Steph Lee, a queer and nonbinary person living with HIV, about their attraction to people of multiple genders.

Daniel chats with Steve Spencer about his experience as a Bi+ guy living with HIV — when he first worked out he was attracted to people of multiple genders, how he first came out as a gay man, and how people greeted him coming out again as Bi+!

In this episode of the NAPWHA Learning podcast, Daniel speaks with Steven about his experiences as a Bi+ man living with HIV in a regional centre.

This podcast episode presents the Q&A session from NAPWHA’s recent webinar celebrating Bi+ Health Awareness Month. Watch as Steph Lee, Steven and Steve Spencer answer questions from the audience about living Bi+ and HIV-positive!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn to keep and eye out on our next webinar. 

The National Day of Women Living with HIV occurs annually on 9 March, as an opportunity to celebrate the lives of women living with HIV. This year, NAPWHA’s National Network of Women Living with HIV chose the theme ‘Challenge HIV Stigma’.

In the ongoing battle to end HIV stigma, Australia’s National Network of Women Living with HIV is showcasing to all Australians how women living with HIV challenge HIV-related stigma. The aim of the campaign is to empower women living with HIV who have experienced stigma by giving them a platform to share their stories, and educate people about what HIV stigma looks like.

Here is what some women living with HIV have to say about how they ‘Challenge HIV stigma’ in their day-to-day life.

We encourage you to share these testimonies and support your women living with HIV across Australia.

World Pride is in Sydney from
17 Feb – 5 Mar 2023.

NAPWHA would like to welcome people living with HIV who have traveled to Sydney for World Pride and remind you of the support services that are available. Please find a list of services for people living with HIV below or call 02 8568 0300 and we will direct you to the appropriate service provider.

Positive Life NSW (PLNW) https://www.positivelife.org.au/
Ph: (02) 8357 8386
Email: contact@positivelife.org.au
Positive Life NSW offers HIV peer support and referrals.

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) https://www.bgf.org.au/
Ph: (02) 9283 8666
Email: bgf@bgf.org.au
BGF offers practical support and referrals.

Albion Centre http://thealbioncentre.org.au/
Ph: (02) 9332 9600
Medical services and treatment support.

HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) https://halc.org.au/
Ph: (02) 9492 6540
Email: halc@halc.org.au
Legal and immigration advice.
If you would like general information about the law and HIV, you may find their online guides and publications helpful.

Sydney Sexual Health https://www.sshc.org.au/
Ph: (02) 9382 7440
Medical services and treatment support.

WorldPride is a global LGBTQIA+ festival that was established in 2000. Cities around the world compete to host the event. Sydney was chosen by InterPride to be the host of WorldPride in 2023 and will include the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events, as well as a broad festival offering across arts, sport, theatre, concerts, parties, First Nations programming and a human rights conference. To find out more about what’s on during WorldPride, visit https://sydneyworldpride.com/