Within the project “Accelerating the response to HIV epidemic in priority cities to achieve 90-90-90 goals, zero stigma and quality care by 2020,” which is implemented by UNAIDS together with IPAC and funded by USAID, achieving the Fast-Track goals must take place in an evidence- based programming approach oriented to overcome human rights barriers.
The purpose of this study was to collect data necessary for planning program activities at the level of the cities that joined the fast-track strategy, as well as to monitor stigma and discrimination, in accordance with the UNAIDS Global AIDS Monitoring recommendations (in particular, Indicator 4.4. ” Experience of HIV-related discrimination in health-care settings”).
This study was combined with the fourth wave of the study “PLHIV Stigma Index in Ukraine” at the national level. The latter was implemented by AC “Socioconsulting” jointly with the CO “100% Life”. The Stigma Index is an internationally developed and approved research initiative that uses a standardized questionnaire and sampling strategy to collect data on interrelated forms of stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV.
The study was conducted in the cities of Kyiv and Odesa (the cities that adopted the fast-track strategy).
Data collection was organized using the method of structured face-to-face interviews with PLHIV using tablets. The interviews were conducted using a questionnaire developed by international experts and adapted to Ukrainian realities.
The sample type was representative of PLHIV in Kyiv and Odesa, quota based on the proportions of PLHIV who actively treat HIV, and PLHIV who avoid treatment, gender and age, as well as the proportions of representatives of key groups vulnerable to HIV. The total sample size was 400 respondents in Kyiv and 403 respondents in Odesa.