Punitive laws, key population size estimates, and Global AIDS Response Progress Reports: an ecological study of 154 countries | Háttér Társaság

Punitive laws, key population size estimates, and Global AIDS Response Progress Reports: an ecological study of 154 countries

CímPunitive laws, key population size estimates, and Global AIDS Response Progress Reports: an ecological study of 154 countries
Közlemény típusaJelentés
IntézményCenter for Human Rights and Global Justice,
Jelentés száma20:21386
VárosNew York
NyelvAngol
SzerzőDavis, SLM, Goedel, WC, Emerson, J, Guven, BSkartvedt
Absztrakt

Introduction: UN global plans on HIV/AIDS have committed to reducing the number of countries with punitive laws
criminalizing key populations. This study explores whether punitive laws are associated with countries’ performance on
targets set in the global plans.
Methods: The study used chi-square tests of independence to explore associations between legal status, key population size
estimates, and HIV service coverage for 193 countries from 2007 to 2014. We used data reported by countries on United
Nations Global AIDS Progress Report (GARPR) indicators, and legal data from UNAIDS, UNDP, and civil society organizations.
Due to lack of sufficiently reliable legal data, only men who have sex with men (MSM) could be studied. The study utilized
public data aggregated at the national level. Correspondence with individual experts in a subset of countries stated the
purpose of the study, and all responses were anonymized.
Results and Discussion: A significantly larger proportion of countries that criminalize same-sex sexual behaviour reported
implausibly low size estimates or no size estimates for MSM. This is consistent with findings in qualitative research that
MSMs are marginalized and reluctant to be studied in countries where same-sex sexuality is criminalized. Size estimates are
often used as the denominators for national HIV service coverage reports. Initially, countries that criminalized same-sex
sexuality appeared to have higher HIV testing coverage among MSM than did countries where it is not criminalized. However,
investigation of a subset of countries that have reported 90–100% HIV testing coverage among MSM found that most were
based on implausibly low or absent size estimates.
Conclusions: Criminalization of same-sex sexuality is associated with implausibly low or absent MSM size estimates. Low size
estimates may contribute to official denial of the existence of MSM; to failure to adequately address their needs; and to
inflated HIV service coverage reports that paint a false picture of success. To enable and measure progress in the HIV
response, UN agencies should lead a collaborative process to systematically, independently and rigorously gather data on
laws and their enforcement.

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