1 Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work , New York, New York.
2 Global Health Research Center of Central Asia , Almaty, Kazakhstan .
LGBT Health. 2017 Apr;4(2):164-167. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2015.0152. Epub 2016 Dec 22.
The purpose of this study is to estimate the population size of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan and their HIV testing history.
We conducted structured interviews with MSM in four geographically disparate cities-N = 400 (n = 100/city)-to implement four population estimation methods and ascertain HIV testing history.
Approximately 3.2% of men-corresponding to ∼154,000 individuals-in Kazakhstan aged 18-59 are MSM. The 49.9% of the sample who reported taking an HIV test far exceeds the <1% reported as MSM in surveillance data.
HIV testing surveillance in Kazakhstan has underestimated the number of MSM. This underscores the need to redress social and structural barriers to HIV testing and disclosure of sexual behavior experienced by MSM in Kazakhstan. Recommendations include promoting cultural sensitivity among testing staff through quality assurance and regular training, and increasing protection and public awareness through antidiscrimination policy development.
本研究旨在估计哈萨克斯坦男男性行为者(MSM)的人口规模及其艾滋病毒检测史。
我们在四个地理位置不同的城市对 MSM 进行了结构访谈(N=400[100/城市]),以实施四种人口估计方法并确定艾滋病毒检测史。
哈萨克斯坦 18-59 岁的 MSM 约占男性总人口的 3.2%(约 154000 人)。报告接受过艾滋病毒检测的样本中,有 49.9%的比例远远超过了监测数据中报告的 1%的 MSM。
哈萨克斯坦的艾滋病毒检测监测低估了 MSM 的数量。这突显了需要解决哈萨克斯坦 MSM 在接受艾滋病毒检测和披露性行为方面面临的社会和结构性障碍。建议包括通过质量保证和定期培训提高检测人员的文化敏感性,并通过制定反歧视政策增加对 MSM 的保护和公众意识。