The Long-Acting HIV Treatment study is a research project that aims to identify key priorities for the delivery of long-acting HIV treatments, particularly injectable options, among people living with HIV in British Columbia to inform rollout and minimize barriers to access. This is a collaborative project between the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC), Ribbon Community (formerly known as AIDS Vancouver), Afro-Canadian Positive Network of BC, and Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society (VPWAS). The Long-Acting HIV Treatment study team is led by Dr. Nathan Lachowsky (CBRC & the University of Victoria) and Sarah Chown (Ribbon Community).
HIV treatment has evolved a lot since the mid-1990s. Recently developed long-acting HIV treatment options can help improve the quality of life of many people. In Canada, the only standalone long-acting HIV treatment option is injectable Cabenuva®, which received Health Canada approval in 2020. The other approved injectable treatment option is Sunlenca® and this treatment option also requires taking a daily pill. New long-acting treatment options such as other injectable formulations, oral pills taken less often, and implants are being developed.
Many people living with HIV are not aware of new long-acting treatment options, even when they are available, such as through Non-Insured Health Benefits for Status First Nations people. In BC, long-acting treatment is only available on a case-by-case basis, which means most people do not have access to this treatment. These new treatment options need to be accessible and provided in ways that make sense to the people living with HIV who can benefit from them.
Study Participation Opportunities
We want to know more about what people living with HIV have to say about long-acting treatment, including how it should be available. Through interviews, we will learn about people living with HIV’s needs and preferences regarding long-acting HIV treatment.
As a participant, you will participate in a one to two-hour interview, either in-person or on Zoom. You will receive a $100 honoraria for participating in the interview.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be living with HIV
- Be living in British Columbia
- Be at least 15 years old
- Be able to communicate in English, French, or Spanish
Participants who are Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, and queer (2S/LGBTQ), Indigenous, Black, a Person of Colour, women, people who use substances, and people who currently have an unsuppressed viral load will be prioritized.
To participate in the study, please complete the screener questionnaire by clicking and using this link.
Please contact the research team at [email protected] for any questions about the study.
