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HIV testing uptake among female sex workers and men who have sex with men in T bilisi, G eorgia
Author(s) -
Tsereteli N,
Chikovani I,
Chkhaidze N,
Goguadze K,
Shengelia N,
Rukhadze N
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
hiv medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.53
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1468-1293
pISSN - 1464-2662
DOI - 10.1111/hiv.12065
Subject(s) - medicine , men who have sex with men , demography , confidence interval , odds ratio , psychological intervention , condom , respondent , odds , population , multivariate analysis , anal intercourse , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , gerontology , environmental health , logistic regression , family medicine , syphilis , psychiatry , sociology , political science , law
Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate HIV testing practice among female sex workers ( FSWs ) and men who have sex with men ( MSM ) in Tbilisi, G eorgia and to identify determinants of never testing behaviour among MSM . Methods Data obtained in two rounds of bio‐behavioural surveys among FSW s (2006 and 2009) and MSM (2007 and 2010) were analysed. Determinants of never testing behaviour among MSM were investigated among 278 respondents recruited in 2010 through respondent‐driven sampling. Results Knowledge about the availability of HIV testing and never testing behaviour did not show changes among FSWs and MSM . Every third FSW and every second MSM had never been tested for HIV according to the latest surveys in 2010. In bivariate analysis among MSM , consistent condom use during anal intercourse with a male partner in the last year, awareness of HIV testing locations and preventive programme coverage were negatively associated with never testing behaviour, while those who considered themselves at no risk of HIV transmission were more likely to have never been tested. In multivariate analysis, lower odds of never testing for HIV remained for those who were aware of HIV testing locations [adjusted odds ratio ( AOR ) 0.12; 95% confidence interval ( CI ) 0.04–0.32] and who reported being covered by HIV prevention programmes ( AOR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12–0.56). Conclusions In view of the concentrated HIV epidemic among MSM in G eorgia and the low rate of HIV testing uptake, interventions in this key population should take into consideration the factors associated with testing behaviour. The barriers to HIV testing and counselling uptake should be further investigated.