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Abstract
Providing psychosocial support for people living with HIV in Russia
N N Nedzelskiy, I V Zarochinceva, E V Morozova
INFO Plus Center, Moscow, Russian Federation
Issues: At the current moment there is growing interest for HIV/AIDS epidemiology and treatment in Russia. At the same time nonmedical care is usually overlooked and the movement of PLWHA themselves is lacking vitality because of too high discrimination and too low empowerment.
Description: Analisys of Russian PLWHA's needs for support was carried out by using deep interviewing. Also the experince of providing psychosocial support in different Russian regions was studied. Comparison of this data and the systems of nonmedical support in other countries allowed publishing of a manual "Supporting the people living with HIV".
Lessons Learned: Most of the PLWHA in Russia are in need in support and information in the crisis moments of their lives, this crisises are fueled by societal dicrimination and internalised stigma. One of existing needs of HIV-positive people is a need for activism, but they don't have the knowledge and skills to realise this need. HIV-negative specialists of AIDS-service organisations usually failed to notice the role of stigma, discrimination and PLWHA involvement in providing support. But on the other hand both specialists and HIV-positive activists were eager to accept and apply information about stigma and empowerment, as long as methodology of psychosocial services.
Recommendations: Development of psychosocial support for people living with HIV should balance support for individual needs with support and education for activists, none of these approaches should exclude another one. The primary goal of such services should be combatting internalised stigma through empowerment. Specialists in such services should obtain education in the issues of stigma, role of PLWHA involvement and the maximum range of methods in providing support. The next step would be a creation of resource center, which will be able to provide such education and advocate the access for nonmedical care.
The XV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
MoPeD3890
Suggested Citation
" N N Nedzelskiy, et al.
Providing psychosocial support for people living with HIV in Russia.
Poster Exhibition:
The XV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
MoPeD3890"
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