Table 1 The services for each of key populations, as listed in WHO guidelines [5]
Key population groups | Essential health sector intervention | Essential strategies for an enabling environment | Specific considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
Sex workers | • Comprehensive condom and lubricant programming • Harm reduction interventions for substance use, in particular needle and syringe programs (NSP) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) • Behavioral interventions • HIV testing and counselling • HIV treatment and care • Prevention and management of co-infections and other comorbidities, including viral hepatitis, TB and mental health conditions • Sexual and reproductive health interventions | • Supportive legislation, policy and financial commitment, including decriminalization of behaviors of key populations • Addressing stigma and discrimination • Community empowerment • Addressing violence against people from key populations. | • Correct and consistent use of condoms and condom-compatible lubricants is recommended for sex workers and their clients • Female condoms for female sex workers (FSW), particularly FSW who inject drugs, for power imbalance during condom negotiation |
Men who have sex with men | • Condoms and condom-compatible lubricants are recommended for anal sex • Adequate provision of lubricants needs to be emphasized | ||
People who inject drugs | • Immediate implementation of NSP and OST • Condom programming is an essential component of the comprehensive harm reduction package for people who inject drugs and their sexual partners | ||
Transgender people | • Condoms and condom-compatible lubricants are recommended for anal sex • Adequate provision of lubricants for transgender women and transgender men who have sex with men needs emphasis | ||
People in prisons and other closed settings | • Prevention of HIV transmission through medical and dental services • Prevention of transmission of HIV and other bloodborne diseases through tattooing, piercing and other forms of skin penetration • Protecting staff from occupational hazards • Condom and lubricant distribution programs in prisons and other closed settings, without quantity restriction, with anonymity and in an easily accessible manner |