COVID-19-Related Diminished Peer HIV Communication Intentions Among Sexual and Gender Expansive Individuals in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted HIV service use among sexual and gender expansive (SGE) individuals in Kazakhstan and could further erode other key behavioral dimensions of HIV prevention, such as peer HIV communication intentions. We examined the association between COVID-19 disruptions to HIV service use and behavioral intention of peer HIV communication among SGE individuals enrolled in an HIV prevention trial in Kazakhstan, using data from the first 6 months of COVID-19 disruptions assessment (May–October 2020). Among 455 participants retained in the clinical trial during this period, 101 (22%) reported any COVID-19-induced disruption to HIV service use and 212 (47%) fell in the low-range intention of peer HIV communication. Being in the low-range intention was positively associated with reporting HIV service use disruptions, especially among SGE individuals living with HIV. Study findings warrant efforts of to address pandemic disruptions when promoting and sustaining peer HIV communication among MSM and TSM in Kazakhstan.