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 probl em. This results in almost non-existant organized care systems for psy chosocial support. Characteristics of psychosocial stress in HIV-infec ted individuals in Russia were studied over 3 years and ways to overco me it were examined. One-hundred-and-eighty-nine patients (120 men and 69 women) were studied. Our patients found support in attending healt h workers and from one another. Some characteristic features of the li festyle of HIV-infected people in Russia are described. These include a search for non-traditional treatment methods; creating families (nin e couples) or support networks between the infected; participating in public meetings in order to support those infected and pursue educatio nal work, and meetings on for religious reasons. Social support may de crease the stress experienced by these people.