Uptake and Persistent Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Key Populations: Results From Ukraine's Scaled National Preexposure Prophylaxis Program.

Background: Ukraine has implemented ambitious HIV-prevention programs since 1999 and began offering preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2017. Little is known about PrEP uptake and persistence in this setting.

Setting: We analyzed data from 40 facilities providing PrEP in 11 oblasts (regions) of Ukraine between October 2020 and February 2022.

Impact of war on HIV-related healthcare services and health workers in eastern Ukraine: a qualitative study.

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused serious challenges for healthcare workers (HCWs) and HIV-related healthcare services. This study assessed the effects of the invasion on HCWs wellbeing and on continuity of HIV services, using in-depth interviews with HCWs from facilities offering HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services in the Donetsk region of Eastern Ukraine. A directed content analysis, with both inductive and deductive approaches, was conducted.

Does HIV index testing bring patients into treatment at earlier stages of HIV disease? Results from a retrospective study in Ukraine.

Background: Over one-third of people living with HIV (PLH) in Ukraine are not on treatment. Index testing services, which link potentially exposed partners (named partners) of known PLH (index patients) with testing and treatment services, are being scaled in Ukraine and could potentially close this gap.

Methods: This retrospective study included patient data from 14,554 adult PLH who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART) between October 2018 and May 2021 at one of 35 facilities participating in an intervention to strengthen index testing services.

Distinctive model for HIV index testing (IT) in Eastern Europe: results of Ukraine's physician-led, integrated IT programme.

Objectives: The effectiveness of HIV index testing (IT) in Eastern Europe has not been described. This study reports the performance of a scaled IT programme in Ukraine.

Design: This observational study included clients enrolled in IT services in 2020, and used routinely collected data from programme registers and the national electronic health record system.

Profile of partners who completed HIV testing and received a new HIV diagnosis in Ukraine's HIV index testing program: a retrospective cohort study to inform program improvement.

Background: Approximately one-third of people living with HIV in Ukraine are unaware of their HIV status. Index testing (IT) is an evidence-based HIV testing strategy that supports voluntary notification of partners with HIV risk, so they can receive HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services.

Methods: Ukraine scaled up IT services in 2019.