Preferences for an HIV Self-Testing Program Among Women who Engage in sex Work and use Drugs in Kazakhstan, Central Asia

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research on social work practice 2023-03, Vol.33 (3), p.296-304
Main Authors: Cordingley, Olivia, McCrimmon, Tara, West, Brooke S., Darisheva, Meruyert, Primbetova, Sholpan, Terlikbaeva, Assel, Gilbert, Louisa, El-Bassel, Nabila, Frye, Victoria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barriers
Drugs
Facial expressions
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Sex industry
Sex workers
Social support
Stigma
Tests
Women
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1049-7315
1552-7581
DOI:10.1177/10497315221128594