‘Positive Talk for Positive Health’: piloting a telephone support service for people living with HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has progressed from an acute illness to a chronic condition that requires ongoing care. Telephone based programs have shown potential for providing support to people living with HIV and have been described as an intervention modality that may overcome traditional barriers to care. The current study explored the acceptability and feasibility of a pilot telephone support program utilising a single group, pre-post design. Participants were invited to complete a baseline and follow-up survey, in addition to an exit survey providing feedback on program satisfaction and acceptability. The program consisted of six, monthly information support calls aimed at increasing treatment adherence, psychosocial wellbeing, and support service access of people living with HIV in two New South Wales (NSW, Australia) health districts. The sample included 24 participants who commenced the program and 21 participants who completed the full intervention, demonstrating an 88% retention rate. Almost all participants (94% (15/16)) rated the program information as very or fairly useful; and two-thirds (69% (11/16)) reported accessing support services as a result of information received during the program. This study provides the first preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of a HIV-specific telephone intervention within an Australian setting and provides directions for future research in HIV care.