In recent years, efforts have been made to improve HIV treatment and prevention in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including research among men who have sex with men (MSM).
One of the widely used recruitment methods for these studies was respondent-based sampling. However, this method failed to recruit a key target group: MSM already diagnosed with HIV, leading to a serious underestimation of HIV prevalence. An additional approach for collecting HIV-related health indicators among MSM is the use of large, low-threshold online surveys. In this case, participants are recruited through ads on gay dating apps and gay social media so they can report on health indicators. Underrepresentation of people diagnosed with HIV does not appear to be a problem in such surveys.
Therefore, this project is designed to facilitate the conduct of such surveys among MSM in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Western Balkans. To reach the target group (MSM), the project collaborates with civil society organizations working on HIV prevention and human rights issues.
Start and end dates for the project
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2023
