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Stigma and Discrimination in HIV Counseling and Testing Services in the Private Health Sector in Guatemala: A Qualitative Study

This document discusses the outcomes of a qualitative study conducted in 2007 and 2008 by the PSP-One project in three departments in Guatemala (Guatemala, Izabal and Quetzaltenango). The objectives of the study were:

• To describe the knowledge and practices of private clinic and laboratory service providers regarding HIV and HIV counseling and testing (CT).
• To identify the characteristics of the stigma that private service providers place on female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and issues related to HIV.
• To describe the experiences of FSWs, MSM and PLWHA with private CT services.

The purpose of the study is to identify actions that can be taken to improve CT services. It is the counterpart of a similar study conducted with public sector users and providers.