ISSUE: HIV-positive children and their families in Russia are one of the most vulnerable groups. Families suffer from discrimination and a hostile environment, and often break up under the pressure. The number of neglected and abandoned children is growing, along with the rapid growth of the epidemic. PROJECT: Together Against AIDS Fund is a hospital-based NGO in St. Petersburg. Many patients in the hospital are children with HIV/AIDS who were either infected in hospitals in early 90-s or born of HIV+ mothers; 10 children who were abandoned by their parents live in the hospital. RESULTS: Together Against AIDS Fund offers legal, social and material assistance to HIV+ children and their families; finds families suitable for adopting HIV+ children and supervises the adoption process; organizes educational sessions for parents of HIV+ children, and yearly Christmas vacations for the families. LESSONS LEARNED: A medical institution and an AIDS NGO can be complementary in providing comprehensive care, support and assistance to families and children affected by HIV.

MEETING ABSTRACTS Child Child, Abandoned Child, Preschool Disease Transmission, Vertical Family Human HIV Seropositivity/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION *HIV Seroprevalence Infant Russia/EPIDEMIOLOGY Self-Help Groups

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