EACS2023: 866 Experience and barriers of counseling, testing and prevention of HIV in the practice of general practitioners in Ukraine K. Voronova , Y. Kvasnevska , Y. Lopatina , A.M. Żakowicz AIDS Healthcare Foundation Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Europe Bureau, Amsterdam, Netherlands General data Abstract category: Access and delivery of care Abstract body Purpose: The estimated number of PLWHIV in Ukraine is 200,000. From March 2018 general practitioners (GPs) in Ukraine must offer the patient a free HIV test. The objective of this study was to investigate awareness and readiness of GPs to provide HIV testing, counselling and prevention. Method: The cross-sectional study included 219 GPs from Lviv, the largest city in western region of Ukraine. The interviews were conducted using the questionnaire method in April 2023. Quantitative method was used. Results: Majority of the GPs worked in health care settings more than 5 years (68%), 44,3% were aged 31-45 years, 84% were women. 62% of family doctors were ready to provide HIV services including testing and prevention counselling for key groups, though only 47,5% of GPs currently offered HIV testing to clients with indicator diseases. Results of in-depth interviews showed that only 62% respondents were ready to provide all services for HIV testing and prevention for key groups. Main barriers to HIV testing included low level of trust among clients in the level of HIV training among GPs (45,7%), lack of knowledge and skills to counsel clients in case of HIV positive result (35,2%), lack of financial motivation for the doctors (31,1%), lack of HIV tests in clinics (20,1%). Main factors that could increase readiness and motivation of the GPs to provide services for HIV testing and prevention were increase of admission time per client (reported by 24,1% respondents), additional payment for HIV services (16,5%), additional training on the prevention of HIV, testing and care (16,2%). Conclusions: The study highlights the need to increase HIV testing and prevention awareness and to decrease stigma to key populations at healthcare settings among GPs in Ukraine. General conditions 1. I confirm that I previewed this abstract and that all information is correct. I accept that the content of this abstract cannot be modified or corrected after the submission deadline and I am aware that it will be published exactly as submitted.: Yes 2. I confirm that the submission of the abstract constitutes my consent to publication (e.g. conference website, programmes, other promotions, etc.). : Yes 3. I herewith confirm that the contact details saved in this system are those of the corresponding author, who will be notified about the status of the abstract. The corresponding author is responsible for informing the other authors about the status of the abstract.: Yes 4. I agree that all data provided may be used (saved, stored, processed, transmitted and deleted) in compliance with the privacy policy to provide the services described.: Yes 1 1 1 2 1 2 51
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