West Africans who start HIV treatment early do not compromise various social factors of life with the virus when compared with those who delay starting antiretrovirals (ARVs), aidsmap reports. Publishing their findings in the journal AIDS, researchers in the TEMPRANO-ANRS12136 study, a trial conducted in the Ivory Coast in which people with HIV were randomized to take early or delayed treatment for the virus, gave the participants questionnaires about social aspects of life with the virus.

The questionnaire asked, yes or no, whether the participants were living alone, were in a relationship, disclosed their HIV status inside or outside their home, had a regular job during the previous six months and whether they had experienced HIV-related discrimination during the prior 12 months.

A total of 2,061 participants, including 1,033 in the early treatment arm and 1,028 in the delayed treatment arm, completed at least one questionnaire during the 24-month follow-up period.

There were no significant differences between the study arms in the responses to the survey’s questions.

To read the aidsmap article, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.