title: Preliminary Population Size Estimation of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kazakhstan: Implications for HIV Testing and Surveillance.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to estimate the population size of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan and their HIV testing history.
  
  
  
  We conducted structured interviews with MSM in four geographically disparate cities-N = 400 (n = 100/city)-to implement four population estimation methods and ascertain HIV testing history.
  
  
  
  Approximately 3.2% of men-corresponding to ∼154,000 individuals-in Kazakhstan aged 18-59 are MSM. The 49.9% of the sample who reported taking an HIV test far exceeds the <1% reported as MSM in surveillance data.
  
  
  
  HIV testing surveillance in Kazakhstan has underestimated the number of MSM. This underscores the need to redress social and structural barriers to HIV testing and disclosure of sexual behavior experienced by MSM in Kazakhstan. Recommendations include promoting cultural sensitivity among testing staff through quality assurance and regular training, and increasing protection and public awareness through antidiscrimination policy development.
authors.affiliation: 1 Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Elwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: 2 Global Health Research Center of Central Asia , Almaty, Kazakhstan .
authors.forename: Assel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terlikbayeva
authors.affiliation: 1 Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: 2 Global Health Research Center of Central Asia , Almaty, Kazakhstan .
authors.forename: Sholpan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Primbetova
authors.affiliation: 1 Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gun Lee
authors.affiliation: 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, Georgia .
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007623:Kazakhstan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011156:Population Density; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV/AIDS; health screening; international research (research outside the US); men who have sex with men