Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is pleased to announce the completion of a long-term study on the impacts of BGF Health and Wellbeing Programs for people living with HIV in Greater Western Sydney.
The study, titled “Evaluation of the impacts of BGF’s Health and Wellbeing Programs on the quality of life of PWHIV residing in Greater Western Sydney” aimed to assess the psychosocial health and wellbeing outcomes of selected BGF Health and Wellbeing Programs among people living with HIV who live in Greater Western Sydney.
BGF delivers a range of health and wellbeing programs to our clients aimed at improving their quality of life. An assessment called PozQoL – Positive Quality of Life – was used to measure the extent to which the programs improved the quality of life for participants.
What did the study find?
The study found some evidence that taking part in structured psychosocial support programs may help improve several aspects of quality of life for people living with HIV. Participants reported improvements in areas such as mental wellbeing, social connections, overall health, and day-to-day functioning.
At the start of the study, quality of life scores varied among participants. Many reported lower levels of wellbeing in the areas of social relationships and mental health. This reflects what is already known about the challenges faced by people living with HIV, including stigma, social isolation, and higher rates of mental health concerns. These challenges can be especially significant for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Overall, the findings add to growing evidence that psychosocial and community-based support programs can make a positive difference for people living with HIV, particularly in culturally diverse communities in outer-metropolitan areas. However, more research involving larger numbers of participants and longer follow-up periods is needed to better understand the long-term impact of these programs on quality of life.
