Psychosocial care for HIV-infected individuals in Russia

The relatively small number of people known to be infected with HIV in Russia together with the absence of large numbers of affected people does not help to increase awareness of HIV infection as a social problem. This results in almost non-existent organized care systems for psychosocial support. Characteristics of psychosocial stress in HIV-infected individuals in Russia were studied over 3 years and ways to overcome it were examined. One-hundred-and-eighty-nine patients (120 men and 69 women) were studied. Our patients found support in attending health workers and from one another. Some characteristic features of the lifestyle of HIV-infected people in Russia are described. These include a search for non-traditional treatment methods; creating families (nine couples) or support networks between the infected; participating in public meetings in order to support those infected and pursue educational work, and meetings on for religious reasons. Social support may decrease the stress experienced by these people.