Integrated psychosocial support programs for families with children and adolescents living with HIV: experience and recommendations based on research in Kazakhstan

Families, where children infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) continue to face a number of challenges around the world. Improving the quality of life of such families is currently possible through the provision of integrated medical care and social protection programs. However, in most cases, the work is carried out focusing on medical care without due attention to family factors, social and psychological needs. Kazakhstan became the first country in the CIS introduced standards of psychosocial support for children and adolescents living with HIV. These standards were put into practice after a joint meeting of the United Nations Children's Fund, the Ministry of Health and the Kazakh Scientific Center for Dermatology and Infectious Diseases in 2019. The authors analyze the results of the standards implementation. The study is based on the needs assessment of the families with children facing HIV and other chronic diseases in five regions of the country. The needs assessment was carried out using a multimethod strategy that combined unconnected observation, document analysis, semi-structured interviews, formalized survey and focus groups. The study involved Centers for the Prevention and Control of AIDS, Centers for primary medical and social Care, Departments for the Coordination of Employment and Social Programs in East Kazakhstan, Almaty and Turkestan regions, the cities of Shymkent and Almaty. In conclusion, recommendations are presented on improving social support programs and integrated services to improve the quality of life of children, adolescents and their families affected by HIV infection and other chronic diseases in Kazakhstan.