The Expected Impact of HIV Post-Treatment Control and HIV Elimination on Quality of Life, Sexual Satisfaction, and Stigma Among People With HIV and Key Populations

Objective This study explored the expected impact of two hypothetical HIV cure scenarios on quality of life (QoL), sexual satisfaction, and stigma among people with HIV (PHIV) and key populations (i.e., partners of PHIV, family members, friends and other contacts, and MSM without HIV) in the Netherlands. Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted among PHIV and key populations in the Netherlands from October 2021 until June 2022. Methods QoL, sexual satisfaction, and stigma were assessed with an online survey to compare participants’ current situation and for two hypothetical HIV cure scenarios: HIV post-treatment control (PTC), where HIV is suppressed without the need for ongoing antiretroviral treatment (ART), but the viral reservoir is expected to persist, and HIV elimination, where HIV is completely removed from the body. Results PHIV (n=222) expected improved QoL and sexual satisfaction, as well as reduced stigma compared to their current situation following both PTC and elimination. Key populations (n=495) similarly expected improvements for both HIV cure scenarios, except no expected improvement was found for QoL following PTC. The expected impact of a cure on QoL, sexual satisfaction, and stigma varied by age. Participants aged between 18 and 34 years expected greater improvement following both cure scenarios compared to older participants. Conclusion Both PHIV and key populations without HIV expect an HIV cure to have a positive impact on QoL, sexual satisfaction, and stigma. This impact is expected not only for HIV elimination but also for HIV PTC, the development of which appears more feasible.