Pre-and Post HIV-Test Counselling
Kazakhstan
PROJECT DURATION: 28 December 2003 - 19 December 2005
DONOR(S): European Union –TACIS programme.
PARTNERS: The Kazakh Society Against AIDS NGO, Republican AIDS Centre, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regional governmental and non-governmental organisations
REGION: Republic of Kazakhstan (Aktyubinsk and Zhambyl Oblasts)
BACKGROUND
Kazakhstan is geographically situated along known drug trafficking routes between Afghanistan and the Russian Federation and East European countries. Furthermore, the difficult social and economic conditions prove conducive to many residents of the country becoming involved in drug trafficking, injecting drug use, or sex work – that is, engaging in behaviour that increases the risk of HIV transmission.
According to data from the Republican AIDS Centre, the total number of officially reported cases of HIV in Kazakhstan, since the first case was registered in 1987, had reached 4577 as of 1 November 2004. Of these, 210 cases have been clinically defined as developing to the stage of AIDS, and 421 have died (Republican AIDS Centre of Kazakhstan).
Geographically, HIV in Kazakhstan varies greatly between regions. More than half of all PLWHA are concentrated in Karaganda Oblast. However, increasing numbers of cases are being reported in the Pavlodar and West Kazakhstan Oblasts.
According to the Republican AIDS Centre, the primary mode of transmission in Kazakhstan is injecting drug use – 82% of those cases where the route of transmission is known have been identified as occurring through sharing injecting equipment. Sexual transmission of HIV accounts for 10% of all reported cases. In 8% of cases, the route of transmission has not been determined. Thus, prevention efforts in Kazakhstan should address safer injecting practices along with safer sexual practices.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE:
To support the development and implementation of a comprehensive and sustained HIV/AIDS policy by establishing a pre- and post-HIV test counselling programme within existing health structures according to international standards, and thus to contribute to the reduction of the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
PROJECT PURPOSE:
At the end of the project cycle, there will be a sustainable Kazakh organisation, accepted by governmental structures and NGOs, capable of developing, implementing and evaluating pre- and post-HIV test counselling training programmes (under the supervision of AFEW) aimed at improving the knowledge of health professionals.
TARGET AUDIENCE(S):
Health professionals, governmental and non-governmental organisations staff involved in HIV testing and counselling and their various client groups in Taraz and Aktobe.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE(S):
To develop a training curriculum on pre- and post-HIV test counselling for Kazakh health professionals and the relevant information materials for their clients To train and support a Kazakh counterpart organisation in the development, implementation and evaluation of pre- and post-HIV test counselling training programmes according to international standards To institutionalise training skills and knowledge through the development of a core group of lead trainers selected in close co-operation with the Republican AIDS Centre of the Ministry of Health, partner organisations, and other Kazakh governmental and non-governmental agencies To implement and evaluate a training programme on pre- and post-HIV test counselling for 50 Kazakh health professionals based on the newly developed training curriculum To further strengthen the counselling skills of trained health professionals and facilitate the spread of counselling activities To develop a medical curriculum on pre- and post-test counselling to be implemented in the Kazakh National Medical University
(EXPECTED) RESULTS:
Training curriculum developed on pre- and post-HIV test counselling for Kazakh health professionals in Taraz and Aktobe, and professionals from governmental and non-governmental organisations in these regions. Two initial workshops on pre- and post-HIV test counselling, two follow-up workshops and one train-the-trainers seminar for Kazakh health professionals and the staff of governmental and non-governmental organisations in Taraz and Aktobe. Establishment of a technical working group (TWG) drawn from national experts to monitor the implementation of pre- and post-HIV test counselling procedures in Taraz and Aktobe Memorandum of Understanding with national authorities on the responsibilities, tasks and intentions towards the countrywide counselling programme Development and production of a variety of informational materials for health professionals, governmental and non-governmental organisation staff in Taraz and Aktobe, and also their clients
(EXPECTED) SUCCESS INDICATORS:
50 specialists from different organisations, (such as regional AIDS Centres, drug treatment clinics, sexual health clinics, various medical institutions and local NGOs) will be trained on pre- and post-HIV test counselling and will use this knowledge in their daily practice Eight trainers will be selected to receive additional training so that they may act as trainers for other professionals in their region on pre- and post-HIV test counselling There will be a standardisation of pre- and post-HIV test counselling procedures on a countrywide basis There will be a change in attitudes towards clients and towards HIV/AIDS among health professionals and staff of governmental and non-governmental organisations as a result of the training on counselling procedures There will be an improvement in co-operation between various counterparts working on HIV/AIDS related issues in the region
(EXPECTED) MATERIALS PRODUCTION:
There are plans to produce the following materials:
5000 posters and 24 000 leaflets in Russian and Kazakh Instructions for counsellors on pre- and post-HIV test counselling – 2000 copies Collection of articles on ‘HIV consulting’ – 200 copies Counselling handbook – 500 copies Manual for trainers on HIV/AIDS training – 200 copies Project bulletins – 500 copies
The materials will be distributed in co-operation with regional AIDS centres and the Kazakh Society Against AIDS NGO.
RESEARCH PLANNED AND COMPLETED BY AFEW:
In March 2004, AFEW initiated a 'Needs Assessment for Pre- and Post-HIV Test Counselling Programmes' in Taraz and Aktobe. The research was conducted by the Centre for the Study of Public Opinion, an independent research organisation. In total, six focus groups, which included physicians from various fields, and six in-depth interviews with middle to high ranking specialists, were carried out. Results indicate that health professionals and governmental and non-governmental staff are keen to continue training on pre- and post-HIV test counselling, and to put this training to use in their everyday work.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Gennady Roschupkin
Senior Programme Advisor
AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW)
E-mail: gennady_roschupkin@afew.org
Office Address:
Chayanova St. 15/5
Moscow 125047, RussiaTel: + 7 095 2506377Fax: + 7 095 2506387
Saltanat Surtaeva
Project Co-ordinator Pre-and Post-HIV Test Counselling Projects
AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW)
Email: saltanat_surtaeva@afew.org
Office Address: Office 500, 64 Zhibek Zholy St.
Almaty 480002, Kazakhstan
Tel: + 7 3272 73 57 46, 73 29 77, 73 10 49
Fax: + 7 3272 73 32 84
Website: www.afew.org
International Postal Address:
AFEW
P. O. Box 75752
1070 AT Amsterdam
The Netherlands
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