Financial situation of people living with HIV in Europe

The objective was to investigate the financial situation of people living with HIV in Europe. Two surveys using an anonymous questionnaire were organized in Europe among people living with HIV, the first in 1996-97 and the second in 1998-99. One thousand one hundred and sixty-one people from the 1996-97 survey and 899 from the 1998-99 survey were included. Four hundred and fifty-seven (42%) of the 1996-97 participants reported that their income had decreased since HIV diagnosis. The latter participants reported significantly more often difficulties in paying for housing (27% vs 20%), food (18% vs 12%) and transport (17% vs 12%) compared to 1998-99 participants. In multiple regression analysis, severity of HIV disease, not being on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), younger age, lower education level and living in the South of Europe were associated with having financial difficulties. We concluded that since the introduction of HAART, the financial situation of persons living with HIV in Europe has improved, but a relatively large percentage of them still have financial difficulties.