New Directions in HIV Prevention and Care

The Polaris Study is a five-year study of people who have recently been infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and people who remain HIV negative. The Study is taking place across Ontario.

Why is This Study Important?
There is much to be learned from the experience of people who have recently become infected with HIV and those who continue to remain HIV-negative. The goal of the Study is to improve HIV prevention, education, testing, counselling, social services and medical treatment.

Despite excellent HIV prevention programs, there are approximately 1000 new cases of HIV diagnosed each year in Ontario. Some of the infections are happening among individuals who had previously tested HIV-negative.

How Was POLARIS Developed?
Polaris was developed based on an extensive feasibility study in which we consulted with organizations and individuals throughout Ontario. We surveyed 92 community-based AIDS organizations, 42 public health units and anonymous test sites, and 464 physicians. We also interviewed 18 people who had recently become HIV positive. We found widespread support for the Study.

The interdisciplinary research design provides a more holistic approach to the understanding of HIV transmission. It allows for additional research to be added. Most importantly, it minimizes the burden on participants by reducing their involvement in separate, competing research studies.

 

What Will We Learn?

The Polaris Study is a multi-disciplinary study with a number of components:

Behavioral and Social Science -We study reasons why people may become HIV positive and what it means to live with HIV. We are also studying the challenges of remaining HIV-negative. The Study will examine how HIV disease affects different communities such as women, immigrants, the urban-core disadvantaged, men who have sex with men, aboriginal communities, and injecting drug users. This information will assist in the development of targeted interventions to help those most in need. The information will also help improve testing, counselling and care services.

Epidemiology - We study sources of new HIV infection and the characteristics of people recently infected with HIV. This will assist in the allocation of resources for new targeted prevention strategies. The Study will also find out how many people have been infected with forms of HIV from other parts of the world or with viral strains that are resistant to anti-HIV drugs. This information will help to ensure tools used to diagnose and treat HIV are effective.

Clinical Science - We study the effect of early versus delayed use of antiretroviral treatments in people recently infected with HIV. We study physical health, desire and willingness to begin treatment, and adherence to treatment. This information may help health care providers and affected individuals decide when and how to begin therapy with their patients.