HIV+ Peer Support Evaluation Project: Positive Life (NSW) and ACON

Presenters:

Dr Graham Brown, Curtin University

Russell Westacott, ACON

About the project…

A joint project of Positive Life (NSW) and ACON

Supported by funding from the HIV/AIDS and Related Programs Unit of South East Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service

Undertaken by Dr Graham Brown from Curtin University’s Centre for Health Promotion Research

Why this project?

Longstanding models

Desire to identify any relevant developments in peer support for: gay men with HIV heterosexual men and women with HIV

Objectives had become unclear over time

Why this project?

Ongoing group numbers small

Consecutive Futures reports suggest little improvement in isolation type measures for people with HIV

Anecdotal experience shows that attendees at non-traditional groups, such as focus groups and forums, report peer support/education as a motivation and outcome

Project aims…

The project aims to:

support the review of peer support models and programs

review the effectiveness of peer support programs for People with HIV

support the development of effective evaluation tools to evaluate peer support programs for people with HIV

How was the project conducted?

Phase 1Phase 1Workshop to define and agree Workshop to define and agree

objectives and evaluation objectives and evaluation approachapproach

January 2009January 2009

Phase 2Phase 2

Workshop to finalise model and Workshop to finalise model and develop and validate develop and validate evaluation tools for use evaluation tools for use within programswithin programs

March 2009March 2009

Phase 3Phase 3 Implement review and Implement review and evaluation approachesevaluation approaches

Focus group discussionsFocus group discussions (May (May 2009, n=25)2009, n=25)

Online SurveyOnline Survey (Jun to Aug 2009, n=74)(Jun to Aug 2009, n=74)

Phase 4Phase 4 Review data and report Review data and report developmentdevelopment June to January 2009June to January 2009

Phase 5Phase 5Follow up data collectionFollow up data collection

Follow up online survey Follow up online survey (June 2010)(June 2010)

The project explored…

The meaning and role of:

General peer and social support

Current peer support offered by ACON and Positive Life

Feedback on current programs, approaches and models of peer support;

Some key findings…

Peer support as an experience of connection, validation and reduced isolation

Peer support as gaining and sharing credible advice, knowledge and experience Credibility Knowledge Comparison Advice through social interaction

HIV+ peers as part of a friendship network

Stigma, discrimination and resilience

Some key findings…

Tension between:

building an ongoing social network and gaining perspective and comparison

peer support as a regular service1 experience to keep well and on track verses a one off or occasional pit-stop experience

information dissemination and social interaction

diversity and uniformity of experience, stages and “headspace” within groups

○ [1] note – the terms regular service and pit-stop were an analogy drawn from the research results staff workshop and terms used by participants directly.

Position of peer support programs on basis of duration of participant involvement and structure of program

Genesis

recent diagnosis Diagnosed for a little while Diagnosed for some time

Structured, formal

workshops

Less structured / informal

events

Healthy Life Plus

Plus

Planet Positive and other independent social events

Focus groups / discussion groups /

forums

Natural peer group / friendships

Nexus

After Hours ?

729 ?

Position of peer support programs on basis of support needs of participant and focus of program

Genesis

Higher / regular support needs

More independent / lower needs

Share experience

and knowledge

Education, skills focus

Healthy Life Plus

Plus

Planet Positive, other independent social events

Focus groups /forums

After Hours ?

729 ?

Safe Social interaction

Nexus

Project outcomes… ACON and Positive Life will use more focussed program

objectives to measure increases in:

Reported HIV peer connectedness

Indicators of support from and to other HIV+ people

HIV health literacy

Skills and approaches regarding living with HIV

Confidence / experience in living with HIV

Quality of life / wellbeing indicators

Proportion of group participating contributing to other HIV positive organisations / programs

Identifying and mapping the issues and responses by people with HIV attending peer programs

Next steps…

Workshop and feedback to peer group clients

Act to respond to finalized recommendations

Publication of report

Follow up online research mid-2010

Consideration of more formal supervision options for group facilitators

Further information…

Rob Lake: CEO, Positive Life NSWrobl@positivelife.org.au

Russell Westacott: Director Client Services, ACONrwestacott@acon.org.au

Dr Graham Brown: Director, Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Researchg.brown@curtin.edu.au