In this report, we provide a brief secondary analysis delving into the context surrounding the experiences of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Scotland today. The goal of which is to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges facing PLWH in Scotland today, thus informing efforts to improve their quality of life.
To date, UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) 90-90-90 targets have led to significant advancements in the clinical care and treatment of PLWH. The ‘90-90-90’ targets are a set of global targets for the HIV response, set by UNAIDS in 2014.
The targets aimed to achieve the following by 2020:
- 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status
- 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy
- 90% of all people receiving ART will have viral suppression
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, UNAIDS (2022) has now updated its targets to 95-95-95 by 2025:
- 95% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status
- 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy
- 95% of all people receiving ART will have viral suppression
Both internationally and within Scotland, a significant number of PLWH have been diagnosed and have access to antiretroviral treatment. Nevertheless, the community still faces various forms of marginalisation, preventing PLWH from experiencing a good quality of life (The Lancet HIV, 2019). In response, and in tandem with the progression of UNAIDS targets, discourse surrounding the need for a ‘fourth 90’ has emerged in the HIV sector (Lazarus et al., 2016; British Journal of Nursing, 2018).
The ‘fourth 90’ refers to a goal that 90% percent of PLWH with viral suppression should have a good quality of life. While the fourth 90 is not formally included in the UNAIDS goals, it is increasingly understood as essential in addressing the lived impact of marginalisation on PLWH.
Waverley Care was funded by Alliance Scotland to carry out research exploring what it means to live well with HIV in Scotland today. This report describes the research findings gathered through a national survey carried out in February – August 2022.