RUSSIA: Access to HIV Testing, Prevention, and Care Services for Street Youth
Maria, a beneficiary of DOW's
program for HIV+ street youth
program for HIV+ street youth
With nearly one million people in the country estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, the United Nations has identified Russia as having the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world. Eighty percent of people living with HIV in Russia are under the age of 30, and 80% became infected through sharing a contaminated needle. Street and at-risk children and youth, who often resort to high-risk behaviors such as sex work and drug use, are at particular risk. Routinely denied health care or other services due to their lack of official documentation and societal stigmatization, street and at-risk children and youth have little knowledge of prevention methods or any means to access testing and what limited treatment is available.
In 2006, Doctors of the World-USA (DOW) initiated a program to facilitate care and support for HIV-positive street and at-risk children and youth in St. Petersburg. Relying on a unique collaboration between the public sector and local organizations, the project enables access to comprehensive medical, social, and psychological services for HIV-positive street and at-risk children and youth, and conducts prevention and outreach efforts to help stem the epidemic among this extremely marginalized population.
Voluntary counseling and testing
DOW has established a mobile outreach unit to visit areas where street and at-risk children and youth live and gather, offering free HIV counseling and testing. Youth who test positive are referred to a variety of services, including medical and psychological support. In addition, an overnight shelter established by DOW provides a stable place for HIV-positive youth to stay before beginning treatment.
Facilitating access to care
Through a key partnership with the City AIDS Center, St. Petersburg’s only public facility that provides treatment, DOW helps HIV-positive street youth access anti-retroviral therapy and other essential medical care. DOW helps young people through the complex registration process and trains public sector staff in providing services that are welcoming of youth and respect their rights.
Prevention and outreach
To increase awareness of HIV risks and prevention methods, DOW has developed educational materials specifically targeting street youth. These materials, developed with input and participation of the target population, are used in a range of prevention activities, including educational workshops and other prevention interventions.
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OTHER PROJECTS IN RUSSIA:
Support for At-Risk Youth
MAMA+ Project
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OTHER PROJECTS IN RUSSIA:
Support for At-Risk Youth
MAMA+ Project