La Trobe University > Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society > Our work > Blood-borne viruses and other stigmatised conditions

Blood-borne viruses and other stigmatised conditions

Since our foundation, ARCSHS has conducted groundbreaking research that has shaped responses to HIV and other blood-borne viruses in Australia.

Formerly called ‘social responses to HIV and viral hepatitis’, this research theme has thus far focused on issues related to diagnosis, treatment, care, clinical practice, sexuality, risk, pleasure, wellbeing and quality of life in the context of HIV and viral hepatitis.

Research in this area has informed national strategies, policy, and clinical and community practice.

Our projects include:

Theme convenor:

Dean Murphy

Latest updates

InterruptionsInterruptions report cover

This report presents findings from the Interruptions study which investigated experiences of discontinuing and recommencing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among gay, bisexual and queer men and non-binary people.

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Newly Positive: Experiences of HIV seroconversion and diagnosis - 2025Front cover of 'Newly Positive: Experiences of HIV seroconversion and diagnosis – 2025' by Dean Murphy and Jeanne Ellard, with the logo of ARCSHS La Trobe and a photo of man in a kitchen pouring milk into a bowl of cereal

This report presents findings up to June 2025 from the Newly Positive study. The study is investigating experiences of seroconversion, diagnosis, and treatment uptake among people living in Australia who have been recently diagnosed with HIV. Data for the Newly Positive study are collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews.

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Newly Positive: Case studiesFront cover of Newly Positive: Case studies, with six stock photos from the ViiV HIV In View collection and the logo of La Trobe ARCSHS.

This series of composite case studies provides insights into six ‘typical’ accounts of HIV acquisition and diagnosis based on the actual experiences of participants in the Newly Positive study. These case studies represent composite narratives; however, the quotes are from individual study participants.

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HIV FUTURES

HIV FUTURES is a research series about the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Australia. Each study forms part of a series of cross-sectional surveys that have been run every two to three years since 1997. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, the aims of the study are to provide information about factors that support physical and emotional wellbeing among PLHIV.

Explore previous HIV FUTURES reports
Take the HIV FUTURES 11 survey

HIV Futures 10: Quality of life among people living with HIV in AustraliaFront cover of 'HIV Futures 10: Quality of life among people living with HIV in Australia' with the logos of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, ASHm, NAPWHA and AFAO, and a design of young silver princess gum leaves in neon green against a plum background

A study of quality of life among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Australia, with data collected from mid-2021 to early 2022.

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Reducing stigma and discrimination associated with blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections: A stigma reduction toolkit for the Victorian healthcare workforce. A stigma reduction toolkit report cover

This toolkit was produced to provide Victorian healthcare services and professionals with a succinct and practical resource to support their efforts to reduce the stigma experienced by people living with and affected by blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) when accessing healthcare

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Implementation guide for ‘Reducing stigma and discrimination associated with blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections: A stigma reduction toolkit for the Victorian healthcare workforce' A stigma reduction toolkit implementation guide report cover

This implementation guide outlines a process for planning and then implementing initiatives drawn from the strategies and resources available in the BBV and STI Stigma Reduction toolkit.

Download the Implementation Guide