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Success of evidence-based combined HIV prevention among

Siberian GMT comes up against the Russian anti-gay "propaganda law"

Denis Efremov, Tsentr 'SIBALT', CBO, Omsk, Siberia21.07.2014, Melbourne, Australia

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Power of Evidence

AwarenessNorms

Access

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Omsk:First HIV case: 1996

HIV prevalence: 0,4%

GMT population: 10,000 (estim.)

HIV prevalence among GMT: 3,2% (2013)

Siberian federal district

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Main Beneficiaries

• GMT who visit LGBT social places at least once per month

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Key interventions

• Education (community members and leaders)

• Outreaching• Involving health care providers• Male latex condoms and water-based

lubricants• HIV testing (direct)• STI treatment (referral)

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Coverage and intensity

• GMT reached: 755 per year (incl. 6 TG)• Number of contacts: 5949• Average number of contacts: 7.4 per 1 person• 182 group events• 65 outreach visits• 806 consultations• 1331 informal conversations• 200 rapid HIV tests• 30 STI treatment referrals

www.pulssystem.ru

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Evaluation

• Base- and end-line study as part of the amfAR’s "Evidence in Action" program

N = 139 (2012)

N = 143 (2013)

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Lessons learned

• Awareness (HIV transmission routes, ways of prevention)

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Lessons learned

• Level of condom use

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Lessons learned

• Permanent partnership

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Lessons learned

• Access to HIV testing and counseling

76,9%

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Challenge

• Russian anti-gay “propaganda law“

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Marginalization

• 33.1% (every third) keeps their sexuality as a top-secret

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Conclusions

• Serosorting and monogamy strategies as a result of combination “education + broad testing/treatment access”

• The best way is to promote a complex of preventive strategies (not only condoms)

• The main hindrance is the Russian anti-gay legislation.

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Acknowledgment

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Thank you!

Contacts:

Denis Efremov

E-mail: efremov@sibalt.org

Skype: denisfrmv

Tsentr SIBALT

www.sibalt.org

www.pulsarrussia.ru

Welcome to Siberia!