HIV in Ukraine: An Everlasting Epidemic? Assessment of knowledge, behaviour change, tolerance towards people living with HIV and accessibility of healthcare services for HIV among adolescent girls and young women in Ukraine.

Sammanfattning: Ukraine has the second highest rates of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Europe and struggles with the HIV epidemic since the 1990s. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are especially vulnerable due to their social position and biological characteristics. The HIV incidence is still on the rise, which is also fostered by the ongoing conflict in the East, although a great number of national and international organisations support the country in fighting the autoimmune disease. This research aimed to answer the question How prevention projects can influence HIV prevalence among AGYW in Ukraine? The study applied a mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data. It focused on changes in knowledge, behaviour (condom use and being tested), tolerance towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) and satisfaction with healthcare services for HIV. The results show that even though AGYW in Ukraine have high levels of knowledge about HIV, it is not reflected in their preventive behaviour. Further, the group shows low tolerance towards PLHIV. However, particular reasons were not found in the qualitative data. Finally, AGYW are satisfied with the services regarding testing for HIV, which are in contrast to the general state of the Ukrainian health system.