GLOWS

Addressing persistent factors that are impeding HIV and viral hepatitis outcomes among First Nations Australians: a multipronged approach, harnessing existing infrastructure and knowledges.

HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a story of inequity and disparity, relative to non-Indigenous Australians. Despite effective and subsidised curative treatments being available since 2016, the notification rates of HCV remain persistently high among First Nations peoples. Similarly, HIV notification rates remain higher than the rate of non-Indigenous Australians despite increasing access to effective drugs that can prevent HIV transmission.

This study aims to identify, improve and evaluate implementation strategies to increase the uptake of biomedical approaches for the prevention and treatment of HIV and HCV among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through qualitative work, it will explore the acceptability, feasibility and utility of biomedical interventions along with the barriers and facilitators to access and uptake, from provider and priority population perspectives. It will also investigate the impact and intersectionality of issues, such as stigma, shame, racism and discrimination, and their impacts on accessing and utilising health care, including biomedical intervention.

This Project is led by Aboriginal people and will be advised by a National Reference Group which includes representatives from priority population groups LGBTQIA+, people with lived experience of HIV and or HCV.