Exploratory perceptions of successful ageing and preferences for information and support amongst sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV in Australia

Abstract

The current exploratory study investigates self-reported perceptions of successful ageing, and preferences for information access and support, amongst sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV in Australia. Cross-sectional data, derived from a larger survey, were extracted for 12 participants who self-reported as living with HIV and completed questions pertaining to successful ageing and information/support preferences. Qualitative responses regarding successful ageing were explored through thematic analysis while descriptive statistics were used to analyse information/support preferences. Themes of (1) social factors, agency, and autonomy; (2) physical and mental wellbeing; and (3) considerations of care needs and information were generated from qualitative data about successful ageing. General practitioners (83.3%) and HIV support services (75.0%) were the most preferred sources of information about ageing and care supports. Findings from this exploratory study identify opportunities for policy improvements, provision of funding, and coordinated community support to enable sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV to experience successful ageing in Australia.