Qualitative methods

We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with patients, and three focus group discussions (FGDs) with 20 health-care providers, in October and November 2020. We used a participant-led, flexible, exploratory approach, enabling participants and the interviewer to shape topics of conversation. We chose the collectivist, multi-vocal focus group as a method as it provides additional insights from group interaction [26]. Patients were asked about their experience of being in the programme, and health-care workers were asked about their experience in programme provision and any implementation issues. The topic guides used can be found in the supplementary material. They were pilot tested on patient counsellors who gave feedback on the suitability for patients. BS trained the interviewer and translators in qualitative methods and the study protocol. All in-depth interviews and FGDs were conducted using English Russian translators, by a female, English speaker, who had previously worked with MSF and who was hired to the programme as an epidemiologist and qualitative researcher. Attention to negative cases was pursued, meaning that contradictory or unexpected findings were actively sought and explored to ensure that predominant themes were a true reflection of participant responses.