Table 1.
Characteristics of focus group participants
| Characteristic | Focus group participants (n=40) |
| Median (IQR) age (years) | 48.5 (42.0–55.0) |
| Years HIV positive (median, IQR) | 7.5 (4.0–12.0) |
| Country/region of birth | |
| Canada | 19 (47.5%) |
| Africa | 9 (22.5%) |
| Caribbean | 4 (10.0%) |
| Other | 3 (7.5%) |
| Incomplete | 5 (12.5%) |
| Relationship status | |
| Married/common law | 12 (30.0%) |
| Separated/divorced | 8 (20.0%) |
| Single | 16 (40.0%) |
| Incomplete | 4 (10.0%) |
| Number of dependents | |
| 0 | 18 (45.0%) |
| 1 | 4 (10.0%) |
| 2 | 1 (2.5%) |
| 3 | 5 (12.5%) |
| ≥4 | 6 (15.0%) |
| Incomplete | 6 (15.0%) |
| Employment status | |
| Full-time | 6 (15.0%) |
| Part-time | 6 (15.0%) |
| Unemployed | 2 (5.0%) |
| Volunteer | 1 (2.5%) |
| Student | 2 (5.0%) |
| Retired | 1 (2.5%) |
| Social assistance | 18 (45.0%) |
| Self-employed | 1 (2.5%) |
| Incomplete | 3 (7.5%) |
| Highest level of education completed | |
| Less than grade 9 | 6 (15.0%) |
| High school | 14 (35%) |
| Trade/technical school | 1 (2.5%) |
| College | 11 (27.5%) |
| University | 4 (10.0%) |
| Incomplete | 4 (10.0%) |
| CD4+ cell count | |
| >200 cells/mm3 | 23 (57.5%) |
| <200 cells/mm3 | 4 (10.0%) |
| Don't know | 12 (30.0%) |
| Incomplete | 1 (2.5%) |
| Viral load | |
| <50 copies/ml | 20 (50.0%) |
| >50 copies/ml | 1 (2.5%) |
| Don't know | 17 (42.5%) |
| Incomplete | 2 (5.0%) |
| Ever hospitalised for HIV-related illness | |
| Yes | 15 (37.5%) |
| No | 21 (52.5%) |
| Incomplete | 4 (10.0%) |
| Current use of antiretrovirals | |
| Yes | 35 (87.5%) |
| No | 3 (7.5%) |
| Incomplete | 2 (5.0%) |