How do Key Populations Cope their Behaviour Related Stigma? A Qualitative Study in a Province in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Key populations are at the highest risk of acquiring and transmitting the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). Due to the stigma vested upon them, they have become least accessible for preventive and curative services for HIV. Therefore, coping strategies are essential to minimize stigma to end AIDS by 2025, five years ahead of the global target of ending AIDS in 2030. The objective was to describe the coping strategies adopted by key-populations to overcome behavior-related stigma. Data from thirty-two in-depth intervi ews were analyzed using the thematic analysis method.