Mapping of sex work hotspots to guide targeted HIV prevention: Evidence from eight Ukrainian cities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ukraine's HIV epidemic remains concentrated among key populations, with sex workers (SWs) facing overlapping vulnerabilities, including a history of injection drug use. Although overall HIV prevalence has declined, prevention coverage remains below national and global targets. Accurate mapping of sex work hotspots is essential for effective outreach, yet existing data are fragmented and incomplete, especially in privatized and digitally mediated environments. This study aimed to systematically identify and characterize sex work venues across eight Ukrainian cities and assess their coverage by HIV prevention services.

Methods

In 2021, we conducted a two-stage, multi-informant mapping study across eight Ukrainian cities, interviewing 1,212 secondary and 2,277 primar

SUBMITTER: Kovtun O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12944754 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature