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ObjectivesThe specific objectives of this project are to:1. construct a unique policy relevant information base on PLHIV and their familieswith their participation in all stages of the project;2. promote an understanding of the processes and consequences for PLHIV and howthese impact on their families and communities in which they live;3. identify the unmet need of PLHIV and their immediate families/communities; and4. document the treatment, care and support services (health, welfare, counselling,etc.) PLHIVs and their families are accessing and identify service gaps.Three main activities will be undertaken towards the stated objectives:1. A qualitative study to elicit personal perspectives from PLHIV on the processesand consequences of HIV/AIDS on their lives and that of theirfamilies/communities;2. A rapid needs assessment survey of the needs of PLHIV;3. A national dialogue with key stakeholders to disseminate the findings andpromote the formulation of evidence-based policies/programmes with increasedparticipation of PLHIV.The UN Country Team organised an Inception meeting with relevant Government andnon-Government agencies and groups on 10 th March 2006 to inform, and gain inputfrom, service providers, policy-makers and the PLHIV community. The research teamgained critical input on study locations and potential sources of respondents at thismeeting.MethodologyBoth qualitative (Focus Group Discussion and In-Depth Interview) and quantitativemethods (survey) will be used for the two study components of this project. The studyon impact of HIV/AIDS will be the qualitative component whilst the needs assessmentwill utilise a quantitative methodology. The quantitative component comprises a surveyusing a structured questionnaire in the appropriate language that is self-administered, orwhere necessary, by face-to-face interview. The studies will be subjected to an ethicalreview committee and informed consent obtained from all participants.With regards to methodology, the basis for undertaking qualitative research for the studyon impact of HIV/AIDS are as follows: First, a quantitative survey has the advantage ofa bigger sample size, resources permitting, for drawing inferences to the largerpopulation. However, in the Malaysian case, surveys on PLHIV will have constraints ontheir generalizability because of sampling issues. A random sample of known survivingpersons with HIV could, theoretically, be selected from the existing MOH database ofPLHIV. However, this is not possible because of confidentiality as well as availability ofcontact addresses or phone numbers. Secondly, a population-based survey (householdsurvey) is unlikely to capture a random sample of infected persons since HIV status ismost probably unknown for the majority as testing is routine only for certain groups. In20