HIV Resilience Qualitative Study Hong Kong

Objectives: The intersection of HIV and ageing has important implications for health and psychosocial wellbeing, which are complex in nature. In a setting with growing number of older adults living with HIV in Hong Kong, as in many other regions in the world, addressing their unmet healthcare needs is paramount. Failure to understand and recognise their needs will impede healthy ageing. This study aims to explore lived experiences of older adults living with HIV in regards their complex needs and resilience-building, with the specific objectives of examining associated factors of resilience development at individual-social- and structural level.

Design: A qualitative study targeting 20 older Chinese adults of age 50 or above who are living with HIV who are divided under the following groups: Group A: Chinese men who have sex with men and Group B: Chinese heterosexual males and females

Settings: Clinic providing HIV care in the public service

Methods: Participants will be recruited through purposive sampling based on their age (50-64; 65 and above of age), gender and sexual orientation. Qualitative, semi-structured interview will be conducted to explore: (1) risk factors contributing to life stress and adversity, and (2) protective factors associated with resilience. Interviews will be digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed using "NVivo" software. Themes will be developed, constantly compared within and between targeted groups, using Grounded Theory approach.

Anticipated outcomes:

The qualitative data will be delineated to propose a typology of older adults living with HIV as characterized by their (1) unmet needs, (2) barriers of resilience-building, and (3) facilitators of resilience-building.

Inclusion criteria

• Known and confirmed HIV infection
• age of 50 or above
• normally living in Hong Kong
• permanent residents of Hong Kong
• able to communicate in Cantonese

Exclusion criteria

• Active psychiatric disorder
• prisoners or under institutionalized care
• unable to give consent