In the office at St. Olav’s hospital in Trondheim, infectious disease nurse Ingrid Slørdal has received several hundred patients, all of whom have had one thing in common. They have received a diagnosis which for many has led to fear, shame and loneliness. They are all infected with the HIV virus. – There is still ignorance and myths associated with HIV infection, says Ingrid Slørdal. Facts about HIV and AIDS HIV is an abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus or human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a virus that attacks parts of the immune system. When the virus enters the body, it breaks down parts of the body’s defenses against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Currently, there is no curative treatment for HIV, but with current treatment, life prospects are very good. A total of 7,125 people in Norway have been diagnosed with the HIV virus since 1984. Two thirds of them are men. Over 90 percent of infections occur through sexual contact. HIV infection has been detected in every country in the world. Most people diagnosed with HIV in Norway today are infected in other countries. In addition to people who have lived in countries where HIV infection is more common, it is men who have sex with men who have the highest risk of infection. Aids is a collective term for a number of diseases that have in common that they are caused by a weakened immune system as a result of HIV. The UN estimates that by the end of 2021 there were approx. 38.4 million people living with HIV. Since the start of the epidemic, it is estimated that around 84 million people have been infected and that around 40 million people have died from AIDS-related diseases. Sources: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Great Medical Encyclopedia, UNAIDS She has long encouraged patients to be open about their diagnosis. Because what used to be a deadly and contagious disease can now be treated, and patients with HIV can live completely normal and fulfilling lives. – But it is not always so easy to reach through to scared patients in crisis, who feel they are heading down an abyss, she says. Living with the HIV virus Kim Fangen is among the 4,800 who are infected with HIV in Norway today. Photo: Mona Hauglid / Mona Hauglid Photo Someone who has felt the fear is Kim Fangen. His roommate was infected with HIV and died of AIDS in 1996. He himself was diagnosed with the virus 20 years ago. – When I was diagnosed, I had a network, largely because I had already become involved in the fight for the rights of people with HIV, says Fangen. Because he chose to be open about his diagnosis, he received a lot of help and support from others with the same illness. His own good experiences led him to start helping others himself. For many years, the prisoner has worked to ensure that the Norwegian healthcare system must use the experiences of other patients in their treatment plans to a greater extent. Slowly, this has begun to gain traction in Norwegian hospitals, and Kim Fangen now works as a permanent experience consultant at Sørlandet Hospital. Kim Fangen has long been involved in the fight against HIV. Here he is photographed in connection with World AIDS Day in 2006. Photo: Ingar Storfjell / Aftenposten Several Norwegian hospitals have begun to use volunteers more systematically in the treatment of patients with HIV. They are called equals, because they have experience from the same illness. Now researchers at Agder University have investigated how this has worked, and the results are clear. Cheaper and better Anita Øgård-Repål is the lead author of two research articles, both of which have been published in the renowned British journal “BMC Health Services Research”. – The biggest challenge has been recruiting the participants and gaining the trust of people in a vulnerable situation who have had a tough time. Many have lived with a stigma and have hidden from the outside world that they are infected with HIV, she says. Anita Øgård-Repål is a researcher and associate professor at the University of Agder. She obtained her doctorate on the studies of equals in Norwegian hospitals. Photo: Privat The researchers have conducted long interviews with 16 patients with HIV around Norway, all of whom have received help from peers. Ten volunteers who have worked as equals have also been interviewed, as have five employees at Norwegian hospitals. The investigation by Anita Øgård-Repål and her colleagues revealed several advantages of including peers in the treatment of patients with HIV: They had an opportunity to be open about the disease in a safe environment. They experienced belonging and community with others in the same situation. They received credible role models and increased belief in their own worth. They received emotional support during a tough time from people they trusted. They received important advice on disease management and the use of medicines. – Can you say that people get healthier because people of the same age are involved in the treatment? – Yes, I dare say that. It is easier to follow up a treatment plan when you get support and advice from peers with experience. If you feel lonely and outcast, it often comes down to how you cope with your own illness, says Øgård-Repål. She also points out that using peers is good social economy. Patients who feel safe and looked after do better in life otherwise too. Although the systematic use of peers requires both training and follow-up, it is still less expensive to use volunteers than more health personnel. Believes in changes in Helse-Norge Nurse Ingrid Slørdal has been awarded for the work she has done for people with HIV over many years. Ingrid Slørdal has the Plus Award from the patient organization HivNorge on her wall. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, former health minister Bent Høie and Kim Fangen are among the 25 others who have received the award since 1997. Photo: Thor Amund Hagen / news Despite all the commitment from her and other employees at Norwegian hospitals, she does not mean this can replace the help a peer can give. – One hour with a peer can mean more than ten years of nagging from me, she says, laughing. Both nurses Ingrid Slørdal and Kim Fangen have told Anita Øgård-Repål about their experiences. And like her, they hope that there can now be more use of peers in Norwegian hospitals, also for several other chronic diseases. – I already have the best job in the world, but more equals can make it even better, says Ingrid Slørdal and smiles.
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Research shows that the use of voluntary peers in the treatment of HIV infection gives good results – news Trøndelag
