The expected impact of a cure for HIV among people with HIV and key populations

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This study explored the expected impact of two hypothetical HIV cure scenarios on quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and stigma among people with HIV and key populations (i.e., partners and communities of people with HIV and men who have sex with men without HIV) in the Netherlands. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among people with HIV and key populations from October 2021 until June 2022. We assessed quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and stigma using linear regression and mixed models to compare participants’ current situation with two hypothetical HIV cure scenarios: HIV post-intervention control, where HIV is suppressed without the need for ongoing antiretroviral treatment, but the viral reservoir is expected to persist, and HIV elimination, where HIV is completely removed from the body. Our findings show that people with HIV (n = 222) expect improved quality of life and sexual satisfaction, as well as reduced stigma, compared to their current situation following both post-intervention control and elimination. Key populations (n = 495) similarly expect improvements for both HIV cure scenarios, except no expected improvement was found for quality of life following post-intervention control. Participants aged 18 to 34 anticipate greater improvements from both cure scenarios than those over 34. Both people with HIV and key populations without HIV expect an HIV cure to have a positive impact on quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and stigma. This impact is expected not only for HIV elimination but also for HIV post-intervention control, the development of which appears more feasible. Curing HIV might improve the quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and reduce stigma for people with HIV and their communities. An online survey was conducted among people with HIV and key populations in the Netherlands, comparing their current situation to two hypothetical HIV cure scenarios: one where HIV is controlled without treatment, and one where HIV is completely removed. Participants expected both scenarios to lead to better quality of life and sexual satisfaction, and less stigma. The results suggest that HIV cures could greatly benefit those with HIV, improving their lives even if the virus is only controlled and not completely eliminated. Romijnders et al. examine the expected impact of two hypothetical HIV cure scenarios on quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and stigma in a cross-sectional survey. Both HIV post-intervention control and elimination are anticipated to improve these aspects among people with HIV and key populations.

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