Employment provides income and may promote social engagement and self-determination for People living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs). Labour force participation has been identified as a critical social issue facing PHAs in Canada. Recent studies suggest that 42%-62% of PHAs in developed countries are unemployed and numerous barriers to work exist for PHAs in Canada. Currently there is a critical need for initiatives that promote increased employment opportunities for PHAs.
Despite high unemployment levels among PHAs in Canada, research has consistently demonstrated that a large number of PHAs are considering returning to the workforce or are maintaining paid employment. Several factors have been reported as influencing employment for PHAs. Significant among these are issues such as the episodic nature of the disease, emotional and psychological difficulties, workplace discrimination, lack of flexible income protection programs and lack of a supportive policy structure. To date, very little research has been done to document the influence of employment on the health status and quality of life of PHA’s in Canada. There is a clear need for research that is grounded in the perspectives and experiences of PHAs.
AIDS Calgary is supporting a PhD student research project that will document the experiences of employed PHAs in order to better understand their employment experiences and to identify factors that facilitate their continued labour force participation. It is hoped that this study will support policy development and community programming for PHAs. A community advisory committee will guide all phases of the research. Information from the study will inform a PhD research project exploring the issue of HIV and employment.
A PhD student researcher is currently interested in interviewing adults (18yrs+) living with HIV who have successfully been in the workforce (full or part time) for three months or more.
Participants will take part in an individual interview and will be asked about their employment experiences. Interviews will take approximately 60-90 minutes. All participants will receive a $25.00 honorarium.
Interviews will be scheduled at a time and place that is most convenient for participants.
If you are interested in taking part in this study or would like more information, please contact:Brent Oliver toll free at 1-866-872-8688 or at boliver@ucalgary.ca
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