Genesis

Meeting the evolving needs of newly diagnosed HIV positive gay men

Ian Walker, Manager Positive Services and HIV Health

Promotion

Program criteria/structure

• “Newly diagnosed” gay men.• Facilitated and staffed by trained HIV+

peers.• Focus on education and peer support• Closed group setting, confidential,

structured.• Process/Impact evaluated on continual

basis.• Workshops held approximately every 3

months.

Referrals

• GPs• Nurses• Counselors (external)• Social Workers• Peers• ACON switchboard• ACON Counseling

Genesis• Initial interview/intake

• Additional individual peer-support sessions

• The Weekend workshop (2 ½ days).

• Debriefing session

• Monthly ongoing closed support group after Genesis attendance

Genesis participants 08 - 09

• No of participants = 50

• Range since time of diagnosis 1 week to 6 years (28% 3-6 months)

• Participant age range 18 to 45 (34% age range 25-30)

Nationality of the 50 participants

•Australia 38

•NZ 2

•Germany 2

•E Timor 1

S Africa 1

•ATSI 2

•Chile 1

•India 1

•Taiwan 1

•N Ireland 1

Discussion topics• Living Positively• Personal stories/experience• Disclosure & Relationships• HIV and the law• Sexual health/Sexual Risk Taking • Understanding HIV & Treatments• Building the doctor/patient relationship• Planning for the Future• Break out small support groups during

weekend

What they said……..

• What have you learned/discovered this weekend that you would like to pass on to someone else that is newly diagnosed?

Evaluation

On the scale below, please circle a number to rate your current emotional state:

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• On the scale below, please circle a number to rate your emotional state pre-diagnosis:

Do you feel you have the skills and resources to make treatment decisions with your heath care provider?

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• Do you feel you have the skills and resources to make treatment decisions with your heath care provider?

Do you have any ideas to whom and how you will disclose your HIV status?

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How far ahead are you making plans for the future?

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Has this changed since your diagnosis? If so, how much?

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Variations

• PLUS

• Regional program

• Victorian model

• WA Model

Contacts

Sammy RodriguezHIV Men’s Health Promotion Officer

Tel. 02 9699 8756Fax. 02 9699 8956Mob. 0439 959 119Email srodriguez@acon.org.au

Paolo PolimeniHIV Health Promotion Team Leader

Tel. 02 9699 8756Fax. 02 9699 8956Mob. 0418 688 924Email ppolimeni@acon.org.au