HIV preventive work for children and youths in Thailand : a qualitative study based on experiences among staff in an HIV prevention-oriented organization and a research group in Thailand

Sammanfattning: Background The development of HIV preventive measures in Thailand has led to a decrease in prevalence in HIV-infected persons. During 2021 there was an estimated number of 520 000 people living with HIV in Thailand amongst adults over 15 years and an estimated number of 2000 children between 0 to 14 years old. Studies have shown that the current obstacles with HIV prevention in Thailand is correlated with HIV-related stigma and therefore being at risk to retrieve the infection. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and research groups, are important actors in HIV prevention.  Aim The aim of this study was to examine experiences of HIV preventive work in children, adolescents and young adults among staff in an HIV prevention-oriented organization and a research group in Thailand.  Method A qualitative design was used, and seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenient selected sample. Participants were conveniently recruited from two different population groups, two participants from an HIV prevention-oriented organization and five participants from a research group in a clinical HIV-unit. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through a content analysis with an inductive approach.  Results Three main categories were identified: Success factors in HIV prevention, Barriers to HIV prevention and Future directions. Eight subcategories were identified: Access to HIV testing, Access to information, Sharing experiences, Collaboration between agencies working with HIV prevention, Decrease in Stigma, Limitations in time and money, Difficulties in adherence to HIV prevention and Stigmatization in HIV. Conclusions HIV prevention needs to be more accessible. Today HIV testing is available for free, however, there are still obstacles to preventive work that ought to be considered, stigmatization and discrimination are such barriers. Future directions in preventive work are increased accessibility to HIV prevention.