“Involvement of MSM and trans*persons in the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis program in Kazakhstan”

(AmanBol PrEP)

The project was implemented with the support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (KAZ-H-RAC/1913 “Ensuring the sustainability and continuity of services for key populations and people living with HIV in the Republic of Kazakhstan” for 2021-2023). The goal of the project is to ensure the sustainability and continuity of HIV prevention services for key populations. The project provides information support and technical assistance in developing the capacity of medical personnel and NGOs to implement prevention measures among MSM and TG, engage in HIV counseling and testing, and introduce pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in seven regions, providing scientific and technical support for the introduction and implementation of PrEP, analyzing the introduction of PrEP, and preparing a report for the Kazakh Scientific Center for Dermatology and Infectious Diseases under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the implementation of the national plan for the accelerated introduction of PrEP in Kazakhstan.

Main website: https://amanbol.kz/

Regions of operation:

Information campaigns, counseling, referral of clients to HIV centers – throughout Kazakhstan
Technical support, training of medical professionals and NGO staff: 2021-2023 – Astana, Shymkent, Aktobe region, Karaganda region, Pavlodar region; 2021 – East Kazakhstan region; 2022-2023 – Kostanay region.

Training of HIV center and NGO staff:

Medical workers from HIV centers have been trained at regional training sessions on DCP (developing skills for working with KGN, strengthening cooperation with NGOs, training on the provisions of the DCP section of the clinical protocol for HIV diagnosis and prevention; motivational interviewing skills):

  • 2021, 14 training sessions – 72
  • 2022, 14 training sessions – 122
  • 2023, 14 training sessions – 62

NGO staff trained at regional training sessions on CDE (development of CDE counseling skills, strengthening cooperation with HIV centers; organization of pilot projects – CDE distribution based on NGOs; motivational interviewing skills; SMM skills):

  • 2021, 14 trainings – 84
  • 2022, 14 trainings – 72
  • 2023, 14 trainings – 83

Two two-day national training sessions on VCT for HIV center staff (2021-2022) – 64 medical staff from across Kazakhstan

National information campaign (creating demand, raising awareness, referring people for VCT, and retaining them in the program):

  • collection and assessment of community needs, as well as collection and assessment of the needs of migrants who have arrived in Kazakhstan since February 2022 launch and maintenance of the website vich.kz
  • social networks launch of a Telegram bot on DCP – https://t.me/prep_kz_bot
  • maintaining the amanbol.kz website + social media
  • advertising the DCP on social media
  • translating materials about the DCP into Russian and Kazakh
  • developing a system for managing clients in the DCP program, and much more

Number of clients included in the DCP program, including those recruited by the OF CNPI:

  • 2021 – 243
  • 2022 – 908
  • 2023 – 5882

Upon completion of the project, the developed infrastructure was transferred to the KNCDI for the continued inclusion of clients in the DCP program. The successful experience of the OF CNPI also served as the basis for the inclusion of SMM specialists in both the NGO and KNCDI staff to launch and conduct information campaigns.

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