The HIV epidemic continues to
grow in Tajikistan, especially among people who inject drugs, sex workers, men
who have sex with men and incarcerated populations. Despite their
susceptibility to HIV, members of these groups do not always have access to HIV
prevention, testing and treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify
and understand the gender constraints in accessing HIV services for key
populations in Tajikistan.
Using focus-group discussions and key-informant
interviews the assessment team collected information from members of key
populations and those who work with them. Several themes emerged from the data,
including: low levels of HIV knowledge, gender constraints to condom use and
safer drug use, gender constraints limit HIV testing opportunities,
gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination, and the lack of female spaces
in the HIV response.
The results of this study show that there are well-defined
gender norms in Tajikistan, and these gender norms influence key populations’
access to HIV services. Addressing these gender constraints may offer opportunities
for more equitable access to HIV services in Tajikistan.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/8Y8G2z
a Department of Health Behavior and Health
Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, USA
b Kyiv, Ukraine
c Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
d Management Sciences for Health, Boston, USA
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
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