1. Preferences for an HIV Self-Testing Program Among Women who Engage in sex Work and use Drugs in Kazakhstan, Central Asia.
- Author
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Cordingley, Olivia, McCrimmon, Tara, West, Brooke S., Darisheva, Meruyert, Primbetova, Sholpan, Terlikbaeva, Assel, Gilbert, Louisa, El-Bassel, Nabila, and Frye, Victoria
- Subjects
DIAGNOSIS of HIV infections ,HOME diagnostic tests ,SELF diagnosis ,SUBSTANCE abuse ,HEALTH services accessibility ,FOCUS groups ,SOCIAL support ,SEX work ,HEALTH status indicators ,INTERVIEWING ,PATIENTS' attitudes ,QUALITATIVE research ,RESEARCH funding ,WOMEN'S health - Abstract
Purpose: Women engaged in sex work (WESW) who use drugs face barriers to HIV testing. HIV self-testing (HST) may empower sex workers to learn their HIV status; however, it is not scaled up among WESW in Kazakhstan. This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to traditional HIV testing and HST among this population. Method: We conducted 30 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and four focus groups (FGs) with Kazakhstani WESW who use drugs. Pragmatic analysis was used to explore key themes from qualitative data. Results: Participants welcomed HST due to its potential to overcome logistical challenges by accessing HIV testing, as well as the stigma that WESW faces in traditional HIV testing. Participants desired emotional and social support for HST, and for linkage to HIV care and other services. Discussion: HST among women who exchange sex and use drugs can be successfully implemented to mitigate stigma and barriers to HIV testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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