More cautious, more optimistic: Australian people living with HIV/AIDS, 1997-1999.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the lives of Australian people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have improved to the extent hoped for following the introduction of new antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV. In 1997, 925 Australian PLWHA completed the first national survey of the social impacts of HIV/AIDS. In 1999, 924 Australian PLWHA were recruited for a repeat of the survey. Study participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The data revealed that although new ARV drugs have improved the clinical profiles of many PLWHA, there have not been corresponding improvements in the physical well-being, levels of employment, or financial circumstances of many PLWHA. Nevertheless, PLWHA express favourable attitudes toward ARV drugs. Australian PLWHA have a complex relationship with their ARV medication that is likely to change over time as their HIV disease progresses and new treatments become available.