Statistics

Prevention programs for people who inject drugs (PWID)

Throughout the 11 months of 2024, 44 NGOs, 22 mobile clinics, and 14 mobile teams implemented HIV, STIs, and TB prevention programs among people who inject drugs (PWID). Clients received sterile injection equipment, condoms, alcohol wipes, counselling, assisted testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, as well as services for the early detection of tuberculosis.
In projects supported financially by the Global Fund and PEPFAR, 11,435 PWID received a minimum package of services during the reporting period (a syringe or needle, a condom, and counselling). Additionally, 61,718 PWID underwent assisted HIV testing using rapid tests and received their results. In 2024, 2,852 PWID tested positive for HIV, 1,739 PWID applied for treatment at healthcare facilities after being referred, 1,459 PWID confirmed their positive results (newly diagnosed), and 1,951 PWID began receiving ART (including those who were tested or confirmed their results in the previous period).

Preventive programs for sex workers (SWs)

Throughout the 11 months of 2024, 28 NGOs implemented HIV and STIs prevention programs among sex workers (SWs). Clients received condoms, counselling, assisted testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, as well as services for the early detection of tuberculosis.
In projects financially supported by the Global Fund, 4,269 sex workers (SWs) received a minimum package of preventive services (condoms and counselling), and 4,718 SWs underwent assisted HIV testing using rapid tests and received their results. In 2024, 362 SWs tested positive for HIV, 281 SWs applied for treatment at healthcare facilities after being referred, 80 SWs confirmed their positive test results (being newly diagnosed), and 113 SWs began receiving ART (including those who were tested or confirmed their results in the previous period).

Preventive programs for men who have sex with men (MSM)

Throughout the 11 months of 2024, 23 NGOs implemented HIV and STIs prevention programs among men who have sex with men (MSM). Clients received condoms, lubricants, counselling, assisted testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, as well as services for the early detection of tuberculosis.
In projects financially supported by the Global Fund, 11,439 men who have sex with men (MSM) received a minimum package of services (condoms and counselling), and 10,565 MSM underwent assisted HIV testing using rapid tests and received their results. In 2024, 156 MSM tested positive for HIV, 140 MSM applied for treatment at healthcare facilities after being referred, 72 MSM confirmed their positive test results (being newly diagnosed), and 99 MSM began receiving ART (including those who were tested or confirmed their results in the previous period).

Preventive programs for trans* people

Over the time of 11 months in 2024, 10 NGOs implemented HIV and STIs prevention programs among trans*people. Clients received condoms, lubricants, counselling, assisted testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, as well as services for the early detection of tuberculosis.
In projects supported by the Global Fund, 4,904 trans*individuals received a minimum service package (a condom and a consultation), and 4,181 trans*individuals underwent assisted HIV testing using rapid tests and received their results. 9 trans*individuals tested positive, 9 applied for treatment at healthcare facilities after being referred, 8 confirmed their positive results, and nine initiated ART.

Studies Among Key Population Groups on HIV Infection Conducted in 2024

1. Restoration of identity documents among people who inject drugs in Ukraine: challenges and needed changes
Between May and June 2024, a comprehensive study was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to restoring identity documents (Ukrainian citizen passports) for people who inject drugs (PWID) and to develop recommendations for an algorithm to provide relevant services to this target group. In four regions of Ukraine (Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa regions), 76 in-depth interviews were conducted with PWID who did not have documents and those who had restored them within the past two years, as well as with specialists from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and healthcare facilities.
The process of restoring identity documents among PWID faces numerous barriers at both individual and structural levels. Key factors complicating the process include a lack of awareness and understanding of the passport restoration procedure, physical and financial obstacles, potential societal stigmatisation of PWID, as well as their distrust and lack of confidence in their ability to go through the restoration process. Additionally, many have adapted to a lifestyle without identity documents. Social workers and the network of projects and NGOs supporting the community play a crucial role for PWID at every stage of passport restoration and in ensuring access to services that require valid identification.
The study highlighted the complexity of the issue, requiring a systematic approach involving NGOs, government agencies, and healthcare institutions. At the same time, attention should be given to the insufficient subjectivity of PWID, who tend to rely entirely on the actions and guidance of social workers. It is essential to introduce components into HIV programs that focus on increasing PWID self-management, working on motivation, and building their confidence. This includes developing communication skills, strategies for resolving interpersonal conflicts with staff of government agencies and institutions, appropriately responding to instances of authority abuse by law enforcement and understanding ways to protect their rights.
Key recommendations for the support and recovery of documents for PWID (People Who Inject Drugs) include: 1) enhancing information campaigns and awareness among PWID about the opportunities for passport recovery with the support of NGOs, the procedures for restoration, and the importance of having documents for accessing social and medical services, including HIV treatment and participation in opioid substitution therapy programs. 2) ensuring access to legal consultations and a system of quality support to assist in document restoration processes. 3) strengthening coordination between NGO projects supporting PWID in document restoration, medical institutions, law enforcement and state structures.
The issue of ensuring access to medical services for PWID without identification documents requires a comprehensive and systematic approach at the level of the National Health Service of Ukraine. This includes developing mechanisms and algorithms for financing healthcare workers’ efforts in providing services to unidentified clients. The study did not document cases where PWID without documents were specifically denied HIV treatment. Healthcare workers generally strive to ensure that clients receive the necessary treatment, often demonstrating flexibility and adopting alternative approaches to working with such clients at the healthcare facility level, while relying on the support and assistance of NGOs. At the same time, despite the existence of formal or informal approaches to mitigating the challenges associated with the lack of documents, healthcare facilities face limitations in providing a full range of medical services.
As a short-term solution to existing issues, HIV support and treatment projects should consider enabling the signing of memorandums with healthcare facilities that clearly include provisions for compensating healthcare workers for services provided to clients without identification documents. Additionally, it is important to enhance the awareness and skills of PWID in using the Dia app by integrating relevant training into consultations provided by social workers and NGO teams. Whenever possible, projects should ensure the availability of smartphones for temporary use at NGO offices or healthcare facilities. This would allow clients to download and use the Dia app, granting access to digital copies of their documents in cases when paper originals are unavailable, damaged, or their personal mobile devices are lost.
The full results of the study will be available on the Alliance’s website in December 2024.
The research was conducted as part of the project “Improving the HIV treatment cascade for key groups through differentiated case finding and involving into treatment, capacity building of the state institution “Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine,’ and Strategic Information in Ukraine”.

Statistics 2001-2024