Implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in former Soviet Union countries

Bauyrzhan Baiserkin,Natalya Dzissyuk,Syed Ali,Salima Davlidova,Jack Dehovitz,Aidana Amangaldiyeva

doi:10.1186/s12981-019-0251-1

Abstract

Against the current global trends, in the former Soviet Union (FSU) countries HIV prevalence is on the rise. Visa-free movement across borders has facilitated migrant-associated HIV transmission within this region. Despite efforts from the governments to curtail the growing epidemic, there is still a serious need for the development of strategies that focus on high-risk behaviors and practices responsible for the continued transmission of HIV in this region. While governments of FSU countries have taken commendable steps in recent years to address hurdles at each step of the HIV care continuum, to ensure 100% antiretroviral treatment (ART) accessibility to people living with HIV (PLHIV), testing for HIV needs to be enforced widely in FSU countries. Stigma against people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM), migrants, and PLHIV need to be addressed. Finally, to avoid breaks in ART supply, FSU countries need to gain independence in funding HIV care so that the provision of ART to PLHIV is made available without interruption.

Highlights

In the Union of Socialist Republics (USSR), the first case of HIV was recorded in the 1980s [1]
While HIV incidence has been stabilizing around the world, between the years 2010 and 2017, an increase in the incidence rate has been recorded in the former Soviet Union (FSU) countries of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan
In Armenia, people living with HIV (PLHIV) have had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2005, whereas methadone treatment was made available since 2009—leading to a reduction in the number of people who inject drugs (PWID)

Summary

Introduction

In the Union of Socialist Republics (USSR), the first case of HIV was recorded in the 1980s [1]. The FSU countries include, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan (Fig. 1). While HIV incidence has been stabilizing around the world, between the years 2010 and 2017, an increase in the incidence rate has been recorded in the FSU countries of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan (http://aidsinfo.unaids.org/).

Results

Conclusion