Cipriano Martinez, (WA AIDS Council) describes a half day workshop that helps peole living with HIV better engage with the online environment to access treatments & health information. This presentation was given at the AFAO/NAPWA Gay Men's HIV Health Promotion Conference in May 2012.

1. By Cipriano Martinez

2. Covering
 Rational/Objectives
 What is Positively Online?
 Websites explored
 Feedback from clients
 Where to next ?

3. Rational/Objectives
 HIV Futures Six (Grierson et al, 2009) approximately 36.5% of respondents
source HIV treatment and living information from the internet.
 Many services for people living with HIV are overtime slowly progressing to the
online environment e.g. treatment information and management of side
effects.
 Communities are increasingly using the online environment to organise and
engage with its members e.g. Facebook groups.
 E-health record is the most efficient and likely way that health information will
be stored and exchanged in the near future.
 To identify and access online HIV peer support 24/7, HIV treatment and side
effect management resources.
 To explore websites with quality of life enhancing potential.

5. Websites
 www.poz.com – US
based, forums, personals, treatments, side effect
management
 www.thebody.com – US
based, forums, treatments, side effect management
 www.aidsmap.com- UK based, treatments, side effect
management, charting, resources
 www.gaydar.com.au – International gay online live
chat
 www.napwa.org.au – Australian treatment and
advocacy sites provided on handout.

7. Websites
 www.Google.com – searching , maps,
 www.Facebook.com – contact with friends, community
engagement,
 www.Youtube.com – learn from the web, connect with
others, creative fun
 www.Ted.com - be inspired by the world’s best speakers
 www.skype.com – Free international calls (also MSN, FBK,)
 www.dropbox.com – Store access and share your files
photos, videos
 www.wordpress.com – create your own website or blogg

9. Feedback
Which websites do you enjoy learning about the most and why?
 -Poz websites – very informative and supportive
 -I found the whole range, as covered, where all relevant to what I
wish to do.
 -I found learning about Word press interesting as it is something I
have been considering doing this some time.
Comments on anything regarding the days activity?
 I had a great time- learnt a lot today
 Very informative, there is a need for some basic computer training
if you are a bit uncomputer wise.
 All really useful and will change my online skills for the better!!!
 I got a lot out of the day, will enhance my computer skills, thank
you.

11. Where to next?
 Continue to review HIV and life enhancing websites,
identify which are best/most valuable and why e.g.
Kickstarter
 Monitoring tools ? (what’s accessed and why)
 Skills assessment ?(fit for purpose e.g. socialising online)
 E-Health/online self Mgmt- preparing individuals
 Service through dominant platforms (FCBK), shift as
required.