Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

As known in many countries across the world, there are legal norms and enforcement practices in the area of human rights abuses in relation to population vulnerable to HIV which are conducive to discrimination and legal barriers to access to HIVrelated services, including testing and counseling. Purpose: The purpose of this report is to study the legal and social problems associated with rapid HIV testing and counseling in non - governmental organizations in Kazakhstan. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on the basis of the NGO "Kazakhstan Union of PLWH", Almaty, Kazakhstan. The study has been performed on the basis of data analysis using statistical methods and epidemiological, sociological (anonymous questioning), content and SWOT analyses. Field research was conducted in AIDS-service organizations in 6 regions of Kazakhstan: Pavlodar, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Temirtau, Shymkent, Kostanay. There were analyzed 144 questionnaires. Results: The research has shown that arrangements for providing medical examination and counseling on HIV infection and express testing in Kazakhstan are regulated by the relevant legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and by the orders of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the same time, it is noted that there are barriers to rapid HIV testing on the basis of non-governmental organizations, both at the social and regulatory levels, suggestive of discriminatory trends on the part of both society and the individual − "self-stigmatization" of people living with HIV (PLHIV); a phenomenon of unawareness of one's own HIV infection; insufficient communication of medical, social workers with patients; the lack of a license to prompt HIV counseling and testing in non-governmental organizations. Conclusion: In order to ensure effective involvement of key population groups of Kazakhstan (LUNs, MS, MSM) in the program and the procedure of rapid testing and counseling, it is necessary to adjust legislative and legal procedures of the country for providing social and legal procedures for the protection of the screened population.

Biography

E-mail: karlygash-2303@mail.ru