16th International AIDS Conference Toronto, Canada - August 13 - 18, 2006

EXPERIENCE OF THE RUSSIAN RED CROSS IN PROVIDING MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE TO HIV+ WOMEN AND CHILDREN BORN TO HIV+ MOTHERS IN IRKUTSK CITY (EAST SIBERIA), RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Int Conf AIDS. 2006 Aug 13-18;16 Abstract No. WeAc0105

Zagainova A.¹, Shishkina V.^2
1 Russian Red Cross, Irkutsk Branch, Care & Support Programs, Irkutsk, Russian Federation, ² Russian Red Cross, Health Department, Moscow, Russian Federation

ISSUES: The East Siberian region of Irkutsk has one of the highest rates of HIV prevalence in the Russia. The pattern of the epidemic is rapidly changing, with sexually transmitted HIV cases making up a growing share of new diagnoses, particularly among young women. In response, the Irkutsk oblast of the Russian Red Cross (RRC/Irkutsk) and the regional AIDS Center are working together to improve the medical/psychological well-being of HIV+ women and children born to them.

DESCRIPTION: Since February 2003, RRC/Irkutsk has been implementing the "Care and Support Project for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)" with support from the American Red Cross. Within the Project's framework, RRC/Irkutsk visiting nurses work closely with AIDS center pediatricians, social workers, and psychologists to provide home-based medical care and psychological assistance to HIV+ pregnant women and children born to them (over 1,000 beneficiaries). This partnership approach has allowed visiting nurses to provide regular screening of families with HIV+ pregnant mothers and has allowed AIDS Center pediatricians to keep track of nearly all children born to HIV+ mothers in Irkutsk.

LESSONS LEARNED: Young mothers and caretakers receive medical, psychological and informational support concerning their HIV infection. As a result of these activities, over 90% of HIV+ pregnant women participating in the program are taking better care of themselves and visit AIDS Center doctors more frequently to take ARV drugs that prevent MTCT of HIV/AIDS.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The experience of the C&S Project and the visiting nurse service in Irkutsk has been a unique and successful model of collaboration between federal institutions and NGOs such as the RRC. This collaboration has helped create a system of advocacy and integrated services (care & prevention) for HIV+ women and HIV+ children. With continued support and funding from Federal health authorities, this model can be replicated in other RRC branches in Russia.

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2006-08-13
WeAc0105

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