Russian Federation (2006): HIV/AIDS TRaC Study Evaluating Risk and Health-Seeking Behaviors among Men who have Sex with Men in Nine Regions First Round

The objective of this study was to gather quantitative information regarding sexual behaviors, condom use, and utilization of medical services, as well as information on determinants of these behaviors, among men who have sex with men in the 9 Russian regions included in the Global Fund, Round 3 project (GLOBUS). The findings are critical for PSI in both improving its current MSM programming, as well as in suggesting new types of interventions to be developed for the MSM community. This study is premised on a stratified single-stage cluster sampling approach in each geographic area of interest. Sample size was calculated for nine regions, with the number of respondents to be selected proportionate to cluster size. In every region the estimates of the number of MSM per cluster were calculated as a part of mapping exercise conducted prior to data collection in August-October 2006. Later, the list of enumeration areas obtained through this mapping was used as a sampling frame for this study. Questionnaires were filled out by the respondents at the cluster site. For their participating in this study, respondents were offered incentives of 100 rubles in value (not cash). In total, 539 interviews were completed in 9 GLOBUS regions. Orenburg was the only GLOBUS region not included in this study and its exclusion was due to the lack of programmatic activities there.