About the Eurosupport V Study
Improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons Living with HIV Rationale and background Improving the quality of life of persons living with HIV (PLWH) entails supporting them in adopting healthy sexual life-styles and in taking informed personal choices relating to their fertility. Empirical evidence has shown that the specific support needs of PLWH with respect to the different aspects of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) have not always been adequately met. Recent epidemiological developments reveal that new infections of HIV-transmissions as well as other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have increased, with a concentration in certain European regions and in certain groups with specific high risk behavior (e.g. men who have sex with other men, migrant populations). There seems to be quite a (re-)occurrence of unprotected sexual activity in these groups. Subsequently, there is a high need to develop gender- as well as culturally sensitive strategies to support PLWH more effectively in all aspects relating to SRH, including reducing sexual risk behaviour and preventing unwanted consequences from sexual activity. Project objectives The project's general objective is to improve SRH of PLWH and their sexual partners in Europe, thus contributing to an improvement of their quality of life. The strategy proposed to achieve this objective consists of setting up a large and multidisciplinary European network of experts in SRH related to HIV of partners of all European Member States (including accession States). The participating centers will carry out qualitative and quantitative research on the SRH-related problems and needs of PLWH. Emphasis will be given to the following areas of SRH: - "Prevention for positives":Secondary prevention of HIV and prevention of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including the prevention of the spread of resistant HIV-strains; sexual problems; - Fertility-related issues (contraception and family planning); including pregnancy-related issues; Methodology Since 1996, the general EUROSUPPORT philosophy has been to evaluate the diverse needs of PLWH and to detect shortcomings in the actual service provision. To this end an empirical sound but flexible methodology has been developed to quickly assess the constantly changing needs of PLWH. Appropriate quantitative and qualitative research tools will be developed to evaluate problems and needs related to sexual health of PLWH (e.g. using self-reported questionnaires, but also carrying out qualitative data assessments, such as guided focus groups on specific topics). On the basis of these needs assessments, client-centered criteria for assessing SRH-services targeting PLWH and their partners will be developed. Using these criteria, in the second project phase we aim at identifying existing models of good practice (MOGP) in Europe in an integrated field of SRH for PLWH. In addition, we aim to develop guidelines and policy recommendations for improving SRH-related care and support in clinical HIV-care settings built on the assessed evidence-based practices. Dissemination of information through the ES V network The project-results will be disseminated throughout Europe, i.e. beyond the project group, to maximize the transfer of knowledge between Member States and to create new learning opportunities for health care providers involved in SRH-related care for PLWH. Within the framework of EUROSUPPORT V, a series of workshops with the study group members and experts from the field will be organized to distribute the results. To reach beyond this primary research- and support-network, the assessed models of good practice will be published in a best practice collection; in addition, a report summarizing policy recommendations and evidence-based guidelines and standards of support and counseling models will be issued and distributed to all relevant field organizations in the existing and newly joined participating EU countries. The project will run for 3 years (2005 - 2008). Seventeen organizations(1) from 14 countries participate in EUROSUPPORT V. (1) detailed overview of the partner organizations.
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