Understanding the Barriers of HIV Testing Services for Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 0272684X2199567
Author(s):  
Mohammad Niaz Morshed Khan ◽  
Golam Sarwar ◽  
Samira Dishti Irfan ◽  
Gorkey Gourab ◽  
A. K. M. Masud Rana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
National Goal ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Interpersonal Barriers ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Depth Interviews

Coverage of HIV testing services (HTS) is generally low among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women ( hijra) in Bangladesh, thus impeding the national goal of attaining the 90-90-90 target. In this context, this article delineates HTS uptake barriers among these populations. This qualitative study entailed 30 in-depth interviews, six focus groups and seven key-informant interviews with purposively selected MSM and hijra, alongside service providers. Participants cited individual and interpersonal barriers such as low risk perception and misconceptions about HIV testing, programmatic barriers such as knowledge gaps among peer service providers, as well as community and structural barriers such as the criminalization and stigmatization of male-to-male sex. Considering these contexts, it is essential for stakeholders to improve the HTS modality using multipronged approaches to address the multifaceted barriers of HTS uptake.

scholarly journals Uptake of oral fluid-based HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Thailand

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256094
Author(s):  
Philippe Girault ◽  
Christina Misa Wong ◽  
Siroat Jittjang ◽  
Kangwan Fongkaew ◽  
Michael M. Cassell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Oral Fluid ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
World Health ◽  
Confirmatory Test ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Sex With Men

Background Suboptimal uptake of HIV testing remains a primary bottleneck to HIV prevention and treatment for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Thailand. The World Health Organization has recommended HIV self-testing (HIVST) as an additional strategic HIV service. However, HIVST has not been fully endorsed and implemented in many countries in Southeast Asia. The aim of this study was to assess the uptake of oral fluid-based HIVST in MSM and TGW populations in Thailand. Methods During 2017 and 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study using convenience sampling to enroll 2,524 participants from three major urban areas. Participants were recruited during outreach and online activities and were offered unassisted or assisted HIVST, or referral to HIV testing services. A descriptive analysis was performed for summarizing data. Results A total of 2,502 participants (1,422 MSM and 1,082 TGW) were included in the analysis with about one-third (36.1%) of them being first-time testers. Among all participants enrolled in the study, a total of 2,486 participants (99.3%) selected HIVST versus referral to HIV testing services. Of those who selected HIVST, 2,095 (84.3%) opted for assisted HIVST while the rest opted for unassisted HIVST: 1,148 of 1,411 MSM (81.4%) and 947 of 1,075 TGW (88.1%) selected assisted HIVST. While no serious adverse events were reported during the study, we found that among 179 participants who needed a confirmatory test and were referred to HIV testing services, 108 (60.3.4%) accessed these later services. Conclusions This study demonstrated a high uptake of oral fluid-based HIVST among MSM and TGW populations in Thailand and that HIVST could be scaled up through the national epidemic control program. However, a better understanding of HIV testing-seeking behavior and innovative follow-up solutions are needed to improve and monitor linkages to services for people who undertake HIVST.

scholarly journals Barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among young men who have sex with men and transgender women in Kingston, Jamaica: a qualitative study

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 21385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen H. Logie ◽  
Ashley Lacombe-Duncan ◽  
Natasha Brien ◽  
Nicolette Jones ◽  
Nakia Lee-Foon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Sex With Men

An Exploration of Aftercare Services for Female Drug Users

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Talent Mhangwa ◽  
Madhu Kasiram ◽  
Sibonsile Zibane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Rehabilitation Centre ◽  
Aftercare Services ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Female Drug Users ◽  
Depth Interviews

The number of female drug users has been on the rise in South Africa, with statistics reflecting a rise in the number of women who attend treatment centres annually. This article presents empirical data from a broader qualitative study which aimed to explore perceptions concerning the effectiveness of aftercare programmes for female recovering drug users. The main data source was transcripts of in-depth interviews and focus groups with both service users and service providers from a designated rehabilitation centre in Gauteng, South Africa. Framed within a biopsychosocial-spiritual model, this article explores the perceptions and meanings which the female recovering drug users and the service providers attach to aftercare programmes. The findings of the research outlined the range of factors promoting recovery, alongside noteworthy suggestions for improvement in aftercare services. While acknowledging multiple influences on behaviour, this article highlights the significance of these findings in planning and implementing holistic aftercare programmes.

Love and Intimacy as Vulnerability to HIV Infection: A Case Study of MSM

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Kaushik
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Sex With Men

Sexual minorities are among the most marginalized groups in the society. Sero-positivity accentuates social exclusion among the sexual minorities. The paper aims to appraise the factors that make Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) vulnerable to HIV infection and influence their health seeking behaviors. It highlights two major domains socio-cultural and interpersonal variables. Qualitative in nature and based on ten in-depth case studies of HIV infected MSM, the study is located in Delhi, India. Factors such as age, marital status, child sexual abuse, multiple sex partners, are crucial in influencing their vulnerability. Socio-cultural milieu puts structural barriers restricting integration of MSM in the society. Cultural values do not allow talking about sex, which hampers healthy sexual behaviors. Exhibiting aggression, sexual violence, visiting sex-workers etc. are considered as important aspects to prove manhood. At the interpersonal level, possessiveness, betrayal, infidelity, heartbreak, strong emotional whirlpool when love-relations go incongruent, all takes a heavy toll of their mental and physical health. These variables socially exclude the sexual minorities from the mainstream life. Findings show positive (disclosing to family, abstinence, spiritual growth) and negative (suicide-attempts, drug-use) ways of coping among the MSM respondents. Critical areas of concern for service-providers while planning interventions for empowering people with sexual minority are delineated.

scholarly journals COBA-Cohort: a prospective cohort of HIV-negative men who have sex with men, attending community-based HIV testing services in five European countries (a study protocol)

BMJ Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. e011314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Lorente ◽  
Laura Fernàndez-López ◽  
Ricardo Fuertes ◽  
Daniela Rojas Castro ◽  
François Pichon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Negative

What makes an optimal delivery for PrEP against HIV: A qualitative study in MSM

2022 ◽  
pp. 095646242110608
Author(s):  
Janice Y. C. Lau ◽  
Ngai-Sze Wong ◽  
Krystal C. K. Lee ◽  
Tsz-Ho Kwan ◽  
Grace C. Y. Lui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Service Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Ethnic Chinese ◽  
Sex With Men

Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective means of HIV prevention for men who have sex with men (MSM), a key population whose engagement is crucial for achieving effective public health outcomes. An optimal service model would be important in planning the implementation of PrEP in places where such service has not been established. Methods A qualitative study was conducted to delineate the attributes of an optimal PrEP service model for MSM in Hong Kong, a city where no formal PrEP programs existed. Twenty purposively sampled MSM who were enrollees of two pilot PrEP projects participated in the semi-structured interviews promoting story-telling. The coded data were thematically analyzed following Grounded Theory approach, focusing on uncovering a typology of the essential attributes of an optimal PrEP service model, and the reasons for such preferences. Results Participating MSM were all ethnic Chinese and aged 26 to 52 years. All had received PrEP from pilot projects in conjunction with periodic screening of sexually transmitted infections (STI), HIV antibody, and plasma creatinine. Four major themes emerged as regards the attributes of a preferred PrEP service: (i) comprehensiveness of HIV/STI and safety monitoring; (ii) convenient unitary service; (iii) stigma-free PrEP access and protecting confidentiality; and (iv) affordable price. Whereas regular provision of PrEP was acceptable to MSM, unaffordability and related stigma were the anticipated challenges for potential service providers. Conclusions The qualitative assessment of MSM’s preference for PrEP service delivery has yielded important information on the many facets of a desirable service model.

scholarly journals The Role of Social Support in HIV Testing and PrEP Awareness among Young Black Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men or Transgender Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 715-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina Lelutiu-Weinberger ◽  
Leo Wilton ◽  
Beryl A. Koblin ◽  
Donald R. Hoover ◽  
Sabina Hirshfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Prep Awareness
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