Rapid needs assessment on the adaptation of HIV services for key populations in the context of war

The study aimed to analyze the peculiarities of the daily life of key populations in wartime (with a focus on existing risks and support) and provide recommendations for adapting the HIV service NGOs’ work to meet the current needs of target groups.

The study covered a wide range of tasks:

analyze how the everyday life of representatives of various key groups is organized;
determine how representatives of these groups ensure safety and well-being for themselves and their families in the context of war;
describe the main risks in the lives of key population representatives at the time of the study and how they perceive and overcome these risks;
identify the existing and desired support network for key populations and their families (including emotional, social, psychological, medical, household, etc.);
describe the current practices of key populations related to drug use and sex life under martial law;
identify and describe the main challenges and current needs of these groups (including humanitarian needs);
provide recommendations on changing the activities of HIV-service NGOs, taking into account the current needs and challenges of key populations.

The assessment was based on a qualitative sociological methodology and used two main data collection methods.

Focus groups with NGO managers and staff. 12 FGDs were held online via Zoom. They were attended by representatives of 13 organizations.
In-depth interviews with clients (PWID, SW, MSM, trans* people) using the life story method. A total of 40 interviews were conducted.

The interviewees were clients of HIV service organizations representing various regions of Ukraine, including conditionally safe regions, liberated territories, and the frontline zone. The respondents belong to diverse key populations and social groups: IDPs, PLHIV, clients of OST (for PWID), etc.