Our Research and Performance Coordinator Grace attended the British HIV Association (BHIVA) Spring Conference 2024, which took place from Monday 29th April to Wednesday 1st May in Birmingham. Grace was impressed with the variety of experiences and expertise represented at the conference sessions.
Some overall highlights include:
- Talks from Ian Montgomery, Renee West and Pank Sethi, from our GMI partnership partners PositiveEast.
- Positive feedback on our research, and interesting dialogue with fellow attendees around changing our reporting categorisations and questioning the importance of spatial data, specifically around sex work.
- Visiting the HIV memorial with the artist and organiser Gary Jones to lay a wreath down together.
Laying a wreath at the HIV memorial
Spectra’s research showcased at the conference
We shared two pieces of research at the conference. The first is a collaboration between us and GMI Partnership partners, including Dr Renee West of PositiveEast. The second poster summarises research carried out by Spectra in collaboration with two focus groups of sex workers. The full Sex Worker Health Inclusion Report 2023 is available to view and download here.
Here is a brief overview and the two posters we presented:
GBMSM experiences of HIV prevention and care in London – findings from an interactive online tool
Authors: Mx Grace Desouza, Ms Dee Wang, Dr Renee West.
Background
The GMI Partnership has been commissioned to conduct HIV testing and outreach services with Gay and Bisexual Men have sex with Men (GBMSM) in London, including the utilisation of an interactive online assessment tool. This assessment aims to explore GBMSM experiences of HIV outreach and services as well as provide HIV prevention information to the community. The reflection in our research is important to maintain sexual health outreach services that are both relevant and usable for our target population.
Method
The online assessment tool was launched in June 2023. It was advertised through the dating app Scruff and collected a mixture of categorical and textual information from self-identified GBMSM. 835 responses have been received and analysed.
Conclusion
HIV prevention and care conducted by organisations such as GMI has been successful in its informative engagement with the GBMSM community. This said, more work needs to be done to ensure that the relevant medical intervention is available and prescribed to those who need it.
- We support current efforts to improve PrEP access by increasing clinic
capacity and e-services. - Our findings also recommend that a standard HIV prevention and care
strategy accounts for substance abuse within the target population,
due to its high prevalence in the GBMSM community. - It was highlighted that GBMSM are requesting more long-term and consistent engagement regarding other sexually transmitted infections
such as MPox.
Barriers to HIV health inclusion for sex workers in London
Authors: Mx Grace Desouza, Dr Lilith Brouwers, Ms Marin Scarlett, Mx Lara Murray, Mx Denver Dunnock, Ms Dee Wang, Ms Karen Skipper.
Background
This research details the experience of sex workers (SWers) in London when accessing HIV support from sexual health services (SHS), with the goal of improving understandings of barriers to HIV services experienced by SWers and formulating recommendations for practitioners.
Method
Two focus groups were conducted by Spectra to collate the experiences of SWers in health inclusion, including HIV outreach and services. All participants in the focus groups were current in-person SWers. Participants were chosen from a pool of applicants to balance genders, ages, type of sex work, and venue of sex work. There were 21 participants across the two focus groups: 14 online and 7 in-person.
Best practice
Positive approaches taken by Spectra and other SWer wellbeing organisations include:
- Providing varied resources including non-latex condoms and menstrual sponges.
- Encouraging SWers to take extra resources for their co-workers or social circles.
- Reliable drop-in services with no booking required.
- Outreach near where SWers will already be working, but not directly in their workplace.
- Collaborations with existing SWer only safe spaces.
For links and recommendations to SWer friendly healthcare services please consult our full report, linked below.
Recommendations
- SWer inclusion should focus on barriers to testing, resources and treatment, rather than on improving SWer knowledge of HIV.
- There is a need for SHS with SWer-only spaces, with flexible drop-ins, and without stigma from healthcare professionals preventing access.
- Availability of varied and quality resources is also essential to meet the needs of the SWer community.
- Notably, peer-led SHS was a priority for all SWers participating. Collaboration with SWers and provision of educated and non-judgemental SHS is essential.