Results Of A Biobehavioral Study Among Sex Workers In The City Of Kostanay In 2024

    March 2026 in “ Voprosy dermatologii i venerologii/Dermatologiâ ža̋ne veneralogiâ ma̋selelerì ”
    Г.М. Ахметова, Л.Ю. Ганина, А.У. Дербисалова, Н.А. Краснова, И.Е. Орлова, А.К. Каирбаева
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    TLDR Expand access to prevention and address barriers for sex workers in Kostanay.
    The study conducted in 2024 among 144 sex workers in Kostanay assessed the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis, along with behavioral risk factors and preventive service coverage. The findings revealed a low HIV prevalence of 0.8%, but a high syphilis prevalence of 15.6%. Condom use was high, with 98% using them during the last client contact. However, 33.2% reported symptoms of sexually transmitted infections in the past 6 months. Awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis was 59.2%, but only 24% used it. Preventive program coverage was 53.3%, and one-third of participants experienced violence. The study underscores the need to expand access to pre-exposure prophylaxis, increase prevention program coverage, and address structural barriers.
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