Chemodurova Julia, Sitnik T N and Andreias S V
The problem of HIV infection is one of the most important issues in health care of Russia. The HIV prevalence amounted to 728.2 per 100 thousand people in Russia on 31.12.2019. HIV has spread beyond vulnerable populations and is spreading widely in the general population. 62.7% of people got infected in heterosexual contacts in 2019. The proportion of HIV-infected people who injected drugs (PWID) is 33.6%. 2.5% of patients got infected through homosexual intercourses.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of HIV among three key populations of the Voronezh region (PWID, sex workers (SW), men who have sex with men (MSM)). To assess the behavioral risks that contribute to infection.
Materials and methods: Simultaneous HIV serological studies with interviews on a standard questionnaire with respondent-driven sampling. In 2019 each key group included 100 people. And in previous years the sample for the SW groups was 50-100 people, PWID - 200-300 people.
Results and conclusions: Biobehavioral studies have confirmed routine HIV surveillance data. A concentrated HIV epidemic has been registered in the PWID group since 2015. Since then synthetic drugs have replaced traditional drugs. HIV-positive people use synthetic drugs in 100% of cases. SW audience showed a very high level of closure. HIV awareness was 62%. The latent HIV epidemic forms in a key group of MSM. The annual increase in HIV detection among MSM is 2.3%. The level of awareness of respondents about HIV is low in this group - 77%. 92% have been tested for HIV and know their result. MSM are examined annually in 67% of cases. The conducted studies allow us to estimate the number of key groups and plan preventive measures in them. Regional social oriented non-profit organization have established group outreach worker task force which allows us to care out epidemiological studies quickly and efficiently.
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