Accompaniment and support for pre-exposure HIV prevention (PrEP) Accompaniment (Additional components – CHEMSEX)

The project aims the goal of this component of the project is to reduce harm among MSM practicing CHEMSEX and redirect them to pre-contact HIV prevention. The end result is that 600 clients will receive Party-Box harm reduction kits, counseling, oral HIV tests and questionnaires. Another component of the goal is the “early” detection of cases of HIV infection among sexually active MSM and, accordingly, further ensuring the achievement of the 90/90/90 indicators.

Project description: The project envisages the formation of an information space around the topic of CHEMSEX and informing about the services of the project, which aims at the development and further recognition among the audience and the further expansion of the project. Establishing contact with techno clubs, rave events, party organizers, and opinion leaders among the relevant community practicing “CHEMSEX” is planned.

Several routes of reaching the audience were tested and the most effective were determined. Activities in the project are divided into several directions: club work, online outreach work and work through public opinion leaders.

First of all, a client recruitment scheme was launched, both online and offline. The project staff (social worker, communication manager), each through their own routes, looked for exit points for organized events with “CHEMSEX” in order to reach out to their participants and invite them to participate in the project. Each new project client received counseling services, assisted testing services, referrals to other prevention projects, a Party-Box harm reduction kit, and questionnaires. In the process of surveying the client who has joined the project, new potential routes for reaching new clients are studied. Routes are analyzed and added as a tool for project staff to find new customer entry points.

The distribution of information about the existence of the project also took place with the assistance of the communication manager through Instagram and Telegram channels of public opinion leaders to reach the audience of men who practice “CHEMSEX”.

Project Implementation Results:

During 2022, the coverage indicator was fulfilled by 101%, and 610 MSM received access to project services. Services for counseling, testing, questionnaires and issuing kits were provided for 610 MSM practicing CHEMSEX.

This year, the practice of using postal delivery of tests and pati-boxes for customers was implemented. This is which greatly facilitated the availability of the service and removed geographical restrictions for customers who migrated to provide the service.

The use of the strategy of attracting customers with the help of the main channel of communication – the Instagram account @partybox_ukraine, within which the customer recruitment system works, was continued. The service works 24/7 and guarantees the storage of personal data and confidential information provided during online consultations. Establishing trusting relationships with clients and credibility in their eyes made it possible to refer not the target audience representatives to other health care services that are outside the jurisdiction of the project: in DrugStore – people who use surfactants, but do not belong to MSM; to the SafeBox project – MSM who do not practice Chemsex, but are interested in receiving an HIV test by mail.