Statistics
Statistics
Prevention programs for people who inject drugs (PWID)
In 2021, 54 NGOs and 19 mobile teams implemented HIV and STI prevention programs among PWID. Clients received sterile injecting equipment, condoms and alcohol wipes, consultations, assisted testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, as well as services aimed at the early detection of tuberculosis.
The projects supported by the Global Fund and PEPFAR ensured that during the reporting period, 37,077 PWID received a minimum service package (a syringe or a needle, a condom, a consultation) and that 120,665 PWID received assisted rapid HIV testing and received the results. In 2021, 7,340 PWID received positive test results, 5,713 PWID contacted a medical facility after being referred there. 4,846 PWID had their positive result confirmed (newly diagnosed) and 5,654 PWID started ART (including those who were tested/whose test result was confirmed in the previous period).
Prevention programs for sex workers (SW)
In 2021, 35 NGOs implemented HIV and STI prevention programs among SW. Clients received condoms, consultations, assisted testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis as well as services aimed at the early detection of tuberculosis.
Within the Global Fund-financed projects, 9,491 SW received a minimum package of prevention services (a condom, a consultation) and 11,697 SW received assisted rapid HIV testing and received the results. In 2021, 329 SW received positive HIV test results, 109 contacted a medical facility after being referred there. 82 SW had their positive test result confirmed (newly diagnosed) and 94 SW started ART (including those who were tested/whose test result was confirmed in the previous period).
Prevention programs for men who have sex with men (MSM)
In 2021, 32 NGOs implemented HIV and STI prevention programs among MSM. Clients received condoms, lubricants, consultations, assisted testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, as well as services aimed at the early detection of tuberculosis.
The projects supported by the Global Fund and USAID ensured that 12,348 MSM received a minimum service package (a condom and a consultation) and 19,576 MSM received assisted rapid HIV testing and received the results. In 2021, 238 MSM received positive test results for HIV and 186 MSM contacted a healthcare facility after being referred there. 184 MSM had their positive test result confirmed (newly diagnosed) and 178 MSM started ART (including those who were tested/whose test result was confirmed in the previous period).
Prevention programs for trans* people
In 2021, 11 NGOs implemented HIV and STI prevention programs among trans*people. Clients received condoms, lubricants, consultations, assisted testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, as well as services aimed at the early detection of tuberculosis.
The projects supported by the Global Fund ensured that 3,607 trans*people received a minimum service package (a condom and a consultation) and 3,552 trans*people received assisted rapid HIV testing and test results. 11 trans*people received positive results, 6 trans*people contacted healthcare facilities after being referred there, had their positive result confirmed and started ART.
Biobehavioral surveys about HIV among key population groups
Biobehavioral surveys about HIV among key population groups – PWID, SW, and MSM – play an important role in controlling the epidemiological situation in Ukraine. Preventing HIV cases and decreasing HIV prevalence is one of the main goals in the country’s response to the epidemic.
In 2020, the team of the government agency “Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine,” with methodological and technical support from the ICF “Alliance for Public Health,” conducted biobehavioral research among PWID. 6,001 PWID were surveyed and tested in 8 Ukrainian cities. HIV prevalence among them was 20,3%. At the regional level, this indicator oscillates between 35,0% in Cherkasy, 28,4% in Mariupol, 28,0% in Mykolaiv to 6,4% in Kharkiv. Similarly to the previous years, HIV prevalence is higher among an older age group of PWID: among PWID who are younger than 25 years, this indicator is 2,2%; among those who are 25-34 y.o. HIV prevalence is 23,3%, and among PWID who are older than 45 years, HIV prevalence is 32,6%. The findings of this research point to the fact that HIV prevalence among PWID decreased 2,5 times: from 2,44% in 2017-2018 to 1,06% in 2020.
In 2021, ICF “Alliance for Public Health” conducted biobehavioral research among SW in 8 Ukrainian cities. Research sample was 5,457 participants recruited among people who provided sexual services in exchange for remuneration. According to the study, a decrease in HIV prevalence in this group is observed: HIV prevalence decreased from 12,7% in 2008/2009 to 3,1% in 2021. Among SW younger than 24 years, HIV prevalence is 0,7%, among the participants older than 25 years, HIV prevalence is 4,1%, which is also lower than in the previous years. The highest level of HIV prevalence among the surveyed cities was documented in Mariupol (13,0%), Cherkasy (5,0%), Kropyvnytskyi (4,6%), Odesa (3,2%). HIV prevalence among SW increases with age (up to 8,0% among SW who are 35 years and older) and time spent in sex work (from 0,8% among SW who work 3 years or fewer to 8,0% among SW who work for more than 11 years). A greater share of HIV-positive SW was documented among the participants with low educational level and low level of monthly income, as well as among those participants who had a permanent sexual partner, are street workers, or worked in saunas or massage parlors. HIV prevalence among SW who had experience of injecting drugs was 24,1%, which contrasts with 1,9% among SW who have never injected drugs.
In 2021, the government agency “Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” conducted biobehavioral research among MSM. The findings of this research will be available at the end of 2022. Previous research among MSM was conducted in 2018 by ICF “Alliance for Public Health”. In the 2018 study, 5,972 participants were surveyed and tested for HIV in 25 Ukrainian cities. According to the findings of the 2018 study, in 2017 and early 2018, the level of HIV prevalence among MSM was 7,5%: there was little dynamic from 2015-early 2016, when HIV prevalence among this group was 8,5%. The highest levels of HIV prevalence among MSM were documented in Donetsk (22,8%), Cherkasy (14,3%), Odesa (13%), Mykolaiv (7,3%) and Kyiv (7,1%). Similarly to the previous years, in 2017, HIV prevalence was higher among MSM older than 25 years (8%) as compared to a younger age group, where HIV prevalence was 6,7%.
