Explanation of the study

This research was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council in the UK.
The website and resources were funded by the UK Government's Department for International Development (DfID) with the assistance of Global Fund Programme in Serbia and the International Aid Network (IAN).

Summary of studies

The research team have been conducting research in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 2005. This has been in the form of two studies. Study 1 was a baseline study conducted during 2005-2006. We interviewed 42 PLHIV and 18 service providers in Serbia and Montenegro. This was funded by the UK government’s Department for International Development (DfID) and was part of the HIV Prevention for Vulnerable Populations Initiative (HPVPI) programme.

In a follow up study (study 2) we continued our research with 20 PLHIV from the original study. We used multiple interviews and diaries to get a more in-depth understanding of their lives and to trace changes over time. The study was conducted in 2006/ 2007 and was funded by a UK research Council (ESRC).

What did we do?

Study 1 – We interviewed 42 PLHIV and 18 service providers across Serbia and Montenegro. The focus of the study was the experience of HIV treatment. The findings from this study were disseminated in a UN policy report which documents the situations faced by PLHIV and makes recommendations about changes that could be made. The report can be found in the Additional Reports section of the site.

Study 2 – We selected 20 PLHIV from the original study to participant. The sampling criteria used to select participants includes: gender, age, time since diagnosis, treatment history, region of residence, risk group, NGO contact and willingness to be involved. The sample profile reflects the general profile of the HIV population and includes eight individuals living outside of Belgrade. Participants were interviewed a minimum of three times over the period of a year. The majority of the interviews were be conducted in Serbian with a few conducted in English or via translation. The interviews lasted between 60-90 minutes and were be tape recorded and then transcribed. The interview transcripts and observational (field) notes form the bulk of the study data. Participants were also asked to keep a reflective diary of their experiences. This could be either in a  written or audio format. Participants could keep in touch with researchers over the course of the study through an email blog or by phone.

What does qualitative research do?

This is qualitative research. Therefore the principal focus of interest is on people’s experiences and opinions. The sample size in qualitative research is much smaller than in quantitative research, eg a survey. It aims to capture more in-depth information, sensitive to the nuances of realities and experiences. Whilst it does not purport to be generalisable, as we have encountered very similar stories amongst participants we can say with some confidence that it is likely this is a common theme beyond our sample. In presenting our research we will often use one case study or story to articulate an experience which is very similar to other people’s.

We are interested in perspectives. So whilst some service providers for example may disagree with their characterisation of the situation it is valuable to hear what someone living with HIV thinks and to try and understand why they might think about it this way. It is not judged or presented in number format but in the words of the participants.

What have we produced?

With the generous assistance of DfID, we have produced an advocacy booklet:
Being positive: Experiences from Serbia and Montenegro.

Members of the research team and participants have appeared on the Studio B programme, ‘Belgrade by Night’.

The key findings were presented by Eurovision singers at the UNAIDS Candlelight memorial press conference, May 18th 2008.

The resources on this site are all intended to be used to foster improved understanding of the realities faced by people living with HIV. These have been designed in close collaboration with the study participants to be used as training and advocacy tools. More specifically our objectives for these research resources are:

• To communicate the detailed experiences of PLHIV effectively without compromising their identities.
• To contribute to the better understanding of PLHIV amongst professionals working with them and amongst the general population.
• To inform the proposals, action plans and work of NGOs and donors at a local and national level.
• To sensitise policy makers about the need to incorporate PLHIV and their multiple vulnerabilities when designing policy and legislation:
• Directly through communicating information and providing internal monitoring on whether current action plans are meeting national objectives.
• Indirectly by providing resources to demonstrate the need to lobby for the design and revision of HIV agendas at a national and donor led level.

Who are we talking to?

• People living with HIV, particularly those who have been recently diagnosed.
• Professionals working with people living with HIV/AIDS. It has been designed specifically to be used as an educational and training resource for healthcare professionals, social welfare personnel and teachers.
• Advocacy and human rights groups doing advocacy and campaigning work in the HIV area.
• Trainers and teachers involved in educating people on HIV.
• Policy makers in incorporating the needs of PLHIV into protective legislation.
• Researchers conducting and developing further research in this area.
• Anyone who would like to learn more about the realities faced by those affected by HIV.
• Anyone interested in and/ or working in areas, outside HIV, similarly affected by discrimination on account of being different from the social ‘norm’.