INITIATIVES

To work towards achieving its mission the Women for Positive Action faculty has developed a number of initiatives designed to raise awareness of the issues surrounding women with HIV. The purpose of these initiatives is to encourage education and stimulate communication between women with HIV and the healthcare professionals and community advocates/leaders involved in their treatment and support.

Educational Slide Kits

Seven slide kits on key topics which are relevant to women, healthcare professionals and the community are available for download from the resource centre. The slide kits include an overview of relevant research findings, treatment guidelines and case studies designed to guide the user.

• HIV, conception, pregnancy and contraception
  This slide kit provides an overview of the importance of planning for the possibility of pregnancy for all women of child-bearing potential who are HIV positive or those who are HIV negative and in a relationship with an HIV-positive partner.
• Emotional wellbeing of women living with HIV
  Information on the importance of issues relating to the emotional wellbeing of women living with HIV is provided. This includes aspects related to depression, stigmatization, trauma and emotional considerations in relation to pregnancy and the menopause.
• Women and clinical trials in HIV
  This slide kit reviews the differential responses to therapy and difference in inclusion rates in clinical trials between men and women with HIV. The factors behind the under-representation of women in clinical trials and the importance of enrolling and retaining women in clinical trials are also discussed.
• Women and HIV testing
  The HIV epidemic in women is reviewed, highlighting the need for improved testing, treatment access and prevention of onward transmission. Initiatives to improve HIV testing and the practical implementation of guidelines are also discussed.
• Supporting the patient–HCP relationship
  An overview of the importance of a positive, supportive relationship between women and their healthcare providers and recommendations on how to establish such a rapport are suggested.

The above five slide kits are available in both English and Spanish. The Spanish language versions have been adapted and updated specifically for use in Latin American countries, and discuss local issues of relevance to women living with HIV in this region.

• Beliefs, spirituality and HIV: Harnessing benefits and overcoming barriers
  This slide kit provides an overview of the impact of beliefs, spirituality and religion among women living with HIV and is intended for use by both faith leaders and healthcare professionals.
• HIV and ageing
  The physical and emotional challenges associated with ageing in women living with HIV are discussed in this slide kit. Topics reviewed include the menopause, bone health and neurocognitive changes.

Publications

• HIV-positive women in clinical trials: A gap in the facts
  This article, published in HIV Treatment Update, highlights the importance of including women in clinical trials, reviewing differential responses to therapy and the difference in inclusion rates in clinical trials between men and women. Click here to access the article.
• Raising awareness of the shortage of women in HIV clinical trials
  This opinion piece, published in AIDS journal, addresses the current under-representation of women living with HIV in clinical trials. The aim of this publication is to raise awareness of the need for women to be considered at all stages during the design, conduct, interpretation, reporting and application of clinical research in HIV, so that they can obtain fair and equal benefit from these studies. Click below to access the article.
  d'Arminio Monforte, Antonella; González, Lorena; Haberl, Annette; Sherr, Lorraine; Ssanyu-Sseruma, Winnie; Walmsley, Sharon L; on behalf of Women for Positive Action. Better mind the gap: addressing the shortage of HIV-positive women in clinical trials. AIDS. 2010;24(8):1091-1094.
• Faith and spirituality in the lives of women living with HIV
  Published in Positively Women magazine, this article discusses how faith and spirituality can help women to deal with the physical and emotional challenges faced from living with HIV. The article highlights that faith leaders can play a positive role in supporting those with HIV and discusses how integrating faith into disease management may form an important part of care for some women.
  Click here to access the article.
  
  This is a sample copy of Positively Women magazine. Over the past year Positively Women has addressed many issues affecting women living with HIV including: human rights; living with HIV in prison; pregnancy and access to healthcare. If you a woman living with HIV and are interested in subscribing to this magazine please call 020 7713 0444 or email info@positivelyuk.org.

Forthcoming initiatives

A range of other initiatives are currently being developed, so please come back to the website again soon for news of when they will be available. These include:

• Research gaps for the management of HIV in women
  Drawing on published evidence, this document will overview the available evidence specific to the management of women with HIV, and importantly will highlight where data are lacking. The issues and implications of these findings for women with HIV, and for those who treat them, will be reviewed and suggestions included on how these can best be addressed.
• Feature article on emotional health in women with HIV
  Those with HIV are enjoying longer lives due to advances in disease management. As a consequence, disease and treatment-related factors can impact emotional health at several stages of life. This article will highlight the emotional health challenges faced by women living with HIV.
• Direct Connection
  Direct Connection is a simple, evidence-based kit that supports effective communication between people living with HIV and healthcare professionals. It is designed to help empower patients' to ask questions about HIV and its treatment as well as to enhance doctors' understanding of their patients needs.

Please contact us should you require any further information on these educational initiatives.