Healthcare Needs of Individuals Living with HIV in the UK

The rationale of the Study
The HIV epidemic remains a significant public health concern in the UK. In 2016, an estimated 101,200 adult UK citizens were living with HIV of who 31% were women while 69% were men. 40% of the people living with were living in London (Public Health England, 2016). Based on the data, it is estimated the overall prevalence of HIV among individuals of all ages was 1.6 per 1000 and 2.1 per 1000 for UK residents aged between 15 and 74 years. The prevalence of HIV in the UK was higher among men with an estimated 2.3 per 1000 than women with 0.98 for every 1000 individuals. Recent studies reveal that HIV prevalence among gay/bisexual men was much higher than their heterosexual counterparts, particular in London. Londoners were more likely to be infected by HIV than other people living in other parts of England and Wales (Public Health England, 2017). Additionally, individuals with HIV in the UK have lower access to health services due to healthcare inequalities (Earnshaw et al., 2015). This study intends to examine the healthcare needs of individuals living with HIV in the UK. Understanding the healthcare needs of people living with HIV will improve health equity and social justice in the UK. The rationale for this research is to identify feasible socially and morally acceptable strategies for reducing the healthcare gap between individuals living with
Justification of the Study
Research by Hibbert et al (2018) many people living with HIV in the UK experiences sexual rejection stigma and discrimination at workplaces and healthcare systems because of their health status. Discrimination and stigma can negatively affect the quality of life of people living with HIV and prevent them from being tested for the infection. Late diagnosis and death may result from avoidance of HIV testing. According to Public Health England (2017), 14% of individuals with HIV had not informed anyone about their HIV status except healthcare professionals. More than 25% of individuals need assistance to disclose their HIV status to avoid discrimination and stigma while 14% claim that is worried about being stigmatized or discriminated against (Public Health England, 2017). 8% of people living with HIV in London refuse to seek appropriate healthcare because of stigma 4% delay or refuse treatment because of healthcare discrimination.
Discrimination, stigma and late diagnosis are a predictor of premature mortality and morbidities among individuals living with HIV. Individuals diagnosed at late stages of HIV are at risk of premature death or passing the infection to their partners (Public Health England, 2016). Although the number of HIV deaths and the individuals living with HIV has significantly decreased in recent years, many people in the UK still live with undiagnosed infections (Brown et al., 2018). Some HIV patients are severely immune-compromised at the time they are diagnosed with the infection. The infection is associated with comorbidities including tuberculosis, oesophageal candidiasis, and pneumocystis pneumonia. An average of 600 people dies in the UK each year because of HIV infection and its commodities (Public Health England, 2017). This study addresses the healthcare needs of people living with HIV in the UK that reduc...