title: Motivators and barriers to HIV testing among street-based female sex workers in St. Petersburg, Russia.
abstract: Female sex workers are particularly susceptible to HIV-infection in Russia. However, a dearth of information exists on their utilisation of HIV services. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was conducted to examine motivators and barriers to HIV testing among street-based sex workers in St. Petersburg, Russia. The health belief model was the theoretical framework for the study. Twenty-nine sex workers participated in in-depth interviews, and 139 sex workers completed interviewer-administered surveys between February and September 2009. Barriers to getting an HIV test were fear of learning the results, worrying that other people would think they were sick, and the distance needed to travel to obtain services. Motivators for getting tested were protecting others from infection, wanting to know one's status and getting treatment if diagnosed. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that knowing people living with HIV [aOR = 6.75, 95% CI (1.11, 41.10)] and length of time since start of injection drug use [aOR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.09, 0.97)] were significantly associated with recently getting tested. These results are important to consider when developing public health interventions to help female sex workers in Russia learn their HIV status and get linked to care and treatment services if needed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Behavior , Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Behavior , Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maman
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sociology , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg , Russia.
authors.forename: Victoria I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Dudina
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Behavior , Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Moracco
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Behavior , Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bowling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012426:Russia; D060386:Sex Workers; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV testing; Russia; sex workers