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University students usually consist of young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and a group recognised as being at increased risk of STI. This study found lower levels of STI knowledge and STI testing among international students and to a lesser extent, domestic overseas-born students, compared with domestic Australian-born students. International students exhibited lower risk sexual behaviour but were more likely to have had a HIV test than domestic students. This diversity in sexual health knowledge, sexual health services utilisation and sexual experience indicates the need for a variety of public health approaches to improve sexual health.

Background: The HIV Care Continuum represents a linear clinical pathway incorporating HIV testing, diagnosis, care linkage, treatment initiation and viral suppression. Imagined from a provider’s perspective, rather than from the perspective of people living with HIV (PLHIV), the continuum fails to capture the lived experience of care for recently diagnosed PLHIV. To promote understanding of barriers and facilitators impacting engagement across the continuum, we developed an innovative and engaging illustrated learning resource for health professionals, peer workers, students, carers and PLHIV. Methods: Developed through a collaborative and iterative drafting process involving representatives from Queensland Positive People and a professional illustrator, the graphic-based resource presents findings from the Testing to Treatment Trajectory in Queensland longitudinal study. Two in-depth interviews conducted annually with 42 recently diagnosed (<5 years) PLHIV captured experiences of HIV testing, diagnosis, linkage to care, treatment initiation and beyond. The graphic represents key themes, including barriers and facilitators to HIV care. Results: Using imagery of a road, with hazards and short cuts, the continuum is presented as a ‘convoluted journey’, featuring complexities impacting the diagnosis experience and efforts to engage in care according to participants. Challenges highlighted include poor health literacy, health service access, disclosure, and stigma. The work of positioning HIV within the individuals’ social life and identity is captured. The importance of emotional and peer support for recently diagnosed PLHIV is emphasised. Beyond viral suppression, PLHIV move forward with resourcefulness and strength. Conclusion: As a ‘conversation starter’ this innovative and engaging learning resource encourages discussions about social factors relevant to both PLHIV and care providers. It

With widespread treatment, HIV is now considered a chronic, manageable condition, yet little is known of the social networks that support people living with HIV (PLHIV) to transition toward self-management. Using a person-centred, qualitative social network approach, this study examined the role, characteristics and evolution of social support networks from the perspective of PLHIV and key support providers in Queensland, Australia. Beyond treatment and monitoring, HIV self-management involves negotiating disclosures and navigating stigma. Alongside biomedical interventions, facilitating recently diagnosed PLHIV to develop strong and sustainable personal support networks, including linkage with peers, is an important aspect of contemporary HIV care.

Background: Social networks contribute to improved health and quality of life for people with chronic conditions, yet the networks that support people to transition from HIV diagnosis toward living well long-term are not well understood. This research highlights the contribution of peers in supporting this transition, and the interplay of peer support within clinical and existing support networks of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Methods: Social support network mapping was conducted with 10 recently diagnosed (<5 years) PLHIV in Queensland to explore their support needs and identify people perceived as key supports at diagnosis and as time progressed. In-depth interviews with 8 identified peer supports explored their perceptions of the support role. Thematic analysis identified strengths and challenges of peer support for recently-diagnosed PLHIV. Results: Peers offered meaningful support that bridged clinical and everyday worlds and was relevant from diagnosis to long-term self-management. At diagnosis, peers provided information, solidarity and crisis intervention. Over time, peers helped recently diagnosed PLHIV manage disclosures and stigma, facilitating personal support network growth. Peers who shared similar outlooks, were perceived to be living well with HIV and who normalised HIV in ‘everyday’ contexts, remained long-term supports. Peers who made themselves visible through formal and informal forums, alerted recently diagnosed PLHIV of diverse opportunities to tap into peer networks. Peers acknowledged the reciprocity of support roles, but felt their efforts were under-recognized among broader health services. Peers struggled to maintain consistent social support activities for recently-diagnosed PLHIV, many worked in casual or voluntary positions and money was a constant uncertainty. Conclusion: With HIV care becoming increasingly individualized and shifting from clinical to everyday worlds, peer networks remain

Background: Treatment advances have resulted in longer life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLHIV). With the evolution of HIV nursing roles from acute to chronic care models, greater emphasis is placed on assisting individuals to self-manage HIV. Social support is important to optimize HIV self-management, yet little is known of the social networks that support PLHIV as they transition from diagnosis, toward achieving viral suppression, and beyond to living well long-term. Purpose: This study examines PLHIV changing experiences of self-management support during the first five years following diagnosis. It highlights the structure and transformation of social support networks in this time, exploring their interface with HIV nursing care and self-management models. Methods: In-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 34 recently diagnosed (<5 years) PLHIV in Queensland, Australia were conducted. Additional network mapping was conducted with 10 of the participants. Case studies, network diagrams and thematic analysis were used to explore and identify changing support needs and networks. Conclusions: The social support networks of the participants (24-74 years), recruited from a variety of Queensland locations, are diverse, ranging from sparse connections through to close-knit groups comprised of family, friends, service providers and HIV-positive peers. Fear of disclosure was a common factor disrupting networks following diagnosis, creating challenges for sourcing and maintaining support. In some cases, nurses were pivotal in reducing these fears and assisting PLHIV to access support, including peer-linkages. Networks that helped PLHIV maintain stability and treat HIV were important on diagnosis. As time progressed, networks that allowed PLHIV a comfortable level of HIV visibility helped reduce internalised stigma, and were pivotal in helping PLHIV transition toward living well. Implications