Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
Abstract book
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Abstract #112  -  Expanding access to ARV treatment for IDUs in St-Petersburg through harm reduction programs.
Session:
  6.19: Posters A (Poster) on Monday   in  Chaired by
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Dr Konstantin Lezhentsev - IHRD, Ukraine
 
  Additional Authors:  Mr Alexander Tsekhanovich, Mrs Oxana Dobroskok,  
Aim:
Project: St. Petersburg-based Humanitarian Action, one of the oldest harm reduction NGOs in Russia, works in close cooperation with Botkin Hospital, the city's main infectious disease hospital. Humanitarian Action refers their injecting drug user (IDU) clients to Botkin for HIV and HCV testing, for limited ARV and opportunistic infection treatment, and in emergency cases. Since the Global Fund's 3rd round (GLOBUS) started in Russia in 2003, Botkin has been the main site for ARV delivery, with a focus on IDU patients. However, despite the large number of IDUs in St. Petersburg in need of ARV, at the beginning of the program few patients presented themselves to receive the newly available treatment, and Botkin was unable to reach the indicators established by GFATM. Fear of stigma and discrimination in medical institutions, myths about ARV treatment, fear of the toxic effects of ARV, and lack of financial resources to get to the clinic were identified as the main barriers for PLWHA/IDUs to come for treatment. As part of its technical assistance to GLOBUS, the International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD) supported Humanitarian Action's project to provide patient outreach, ARV treatment literacy education, and ARV adherence support to IDUs through harm reduction programs. IHRD experts trained four outreach workers on basic facts about ARV treatment, with a specific focus on dispelling myths and disbeliefs common in the IDU community. The trained outreach team was responsible for providing on-site counseling to IDU clients, motivating them to come to the hospital, accompanying them to the hospital, and introducing them to the care team, first of all to a peer counselor and ARV adherence support worker. As part of the project IHRD also supported the development of IDU-specific treatment leaflets and the establishment of a drop-in zone for IDU clients in Botkin Hospital, a warm place where hot drinks, a library and counseling are provided to clients waiting for their appointment or visiting the clinic for the first time. The project significantly increased the number of patients coming for treatment: 43 patients were began treatment through the project during five months of project work.
 
Results / Comments:
Patient outreach and ARV treatment counseling and adherence support through harm reduction projects is an important tool for attracting IDUs to HIV treatment and supporting adherence. By establishing a drop-in zone in the ARV site and expanding harm reduction services to include treatment counseling, case management, and adherence support, ARV providers can significantly increase ARV uptake among IDUs.
 
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