{
  "abstract": "Background Menopause is a universal yet highly individualized life stage. In Women living with HIV, the perimenopausal and menopausal transition may involve complex physical and psychological symptoms that overlap with HIV-related conditions or antiretroviral therapy effects. Women living with HIV show a higher burden of mental health conditions compared with HIV-negative peers, and severe menopausal symptoms have been associated with reduced adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Targeted, community-informed interventions are therefore needed to address these unmet and often under-recognized needs.Objectives The project ‘Noi, Donne. From Perimenopause to Menopause’ aims to explore the needs and priorities of Women living with HIV during midlife transition; promote empowerment and peer support; develop a sustainable peer mentoring model; and produce a holistic, accessible guide offering practical and comprehensive support throughout perimenopause and menopause.Methods By March 2025, two online focus groups were conducted with 14 Women living with HIV aged 44–65 years from Northern, Central, and Southern Italy. Sessions were moderated by peer mentors with the support of a multidisciplinary team (infectious disease specialist, psychologist). An inductive qualitative content analysis was performed to identify key themes and priorities related to the menopausal transition. Findings informed a structured participatory co-creation process that led to the development of a holistic, practice-oriented guide. To ensure scientific rigor, qualitative results were integrated with a focused literature review providing evidence-based support for the information and recommendations included. The guide was disseminated through the association’s communication channels. An annual programme of online peer meetings was also implemented to ensure continuity of support and to provide a safe, confidential space for experience sharing and mutual support.Preliminary Results Discussions highlighted unmet informational needs, uncertainty in symptom interpretation, concerns regarding sexual health and psychological wellbeing, and a strong demand for structured peer-sharing spaces. The guide and online community represent tools to improve awareness, reduce isolation, and enhance patient–provider dialogue.Conclusions and Future Directions Noi, Donne’ represents a community-based participatory model addressing midlife health in Women living with HIV. In 2026, the programme will expand through monthly peer-mentoring sessions and specialist-led discussions to consolidate a scalable and replicable model of psychosocial and clinical support.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NPS Italia Aps, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "D Russo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NPS Italia Aps, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "A Moznich"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NPS Italia Aps, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "A Palmitesta"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NPS Italia Aps, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "D Peruzzi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DMSD San Paolo Hospital Medical School, University of Milan, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "S Dalzero"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Unit, Policlinico San Martino Hospital - IRCCS, Genoa, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "L Taramasso"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NPS Italia Aps, Milan, Italy",
        "Executive Director, European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), Brussels, Belgium"
      ],
      "name": "N Policek"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P79 Noi, Donne. From perimenopause to menopause. A participatory support model for women living with HIV",
  "uid": "82e4a1ff-7204-5153-803b-d95bf91d0034"
}