"Новини Полтавщини"
Since the discovery of the new virus, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has swept the world and claimed more than 20 million lives. It continues to spread in Ukraine, as well as around the world. The number of new cases of HIV infection and AIDS is increasing and the number of children born to HIV-infected women is increasing.
According to experts from UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS), the number of HIV-positive patients in our region today is around 250,000, while only one person in two knows their diagnosis. About 133,000 people are registered. Among those officially registered, more than 70% are people of childbearing and working age.
Of all the well-known modes of infection, the sexual continues to dominate. The increase in the heterosexual route of transmission and in the number of HIV-positive women of childbearing age has led to a gradual increase in the number of children born to HIV-positive women.
Halting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, according to the new UNAIDS global targets, will make it possible to achieve the “90-90-90” indicators. This is when 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status; 90% of people diagnosed with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy and 90% of those who receive such therapy achieve an undetectable viral load.
These ambitious goals envisage the implementation of a strategy in which it is recommended to start treatment for HIV infection as soon as it is diagnosed, which, in turn, will lead to a significant increase in the number of HIV screening tests. HIV, as well as an increase in demand for all services related to testing, treatment, care and support for people living with HIV.
Increasing access to screening to establish a diagnosis of HIV infection in those whose HIV infection remains unknown, particularly in groups at high risk of HIV infection, is a priority preventive measure in our region. The establishment of HIV counseling and testing services using rapid tests in the practice of health care facilities (ISP) of various profiles, including the primary level (primary health care centers), directly affects the achievement of the first target indicator “90% of PLHIV know your status”.
The second target indicator to be achieved is “90% of people who know their HIV status receive treatment”. To this end, antiretroviral therapy should be prescribed immediately to people who learn their HIV status and ensure that 90% of people infected with HIV are treated. The problem of forming adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS-infected patients at the primary medical care stage is particularly acute. In particular, when registering for the dispensary in medical institutions of cities and districts, and maintenance in the process of antiretrovirals
therapy with the active participation of social workers from non-governmental organizations.
Patient information is confidential and protected by applicable Ukrainian law.
Several factors contribute to the quality of medical care for HIV-positive patients. The provision of medical care to HIV-infected patients involves a complex of services, namely: examinations by medical specialists, constant laboratory examinations with a frequency of 1 time every 3-6 months, as well as treatment , which includes the appointment of antiretroviral therapy and the continuation of medical monitoring of the patient in the process of receiving this therapy (today for HIV-infected patients this is vital), timely diagnosis and treatment so-called opportunistic infections and related diseases.
Important factors in providing high-quality medical care to HIV-infected patients are:
– the availability of treatments and a certain number of diagnostic procedures (general clinical examinations, determination of the immune status by the CD4 cell count, evaluation of the viral load, examinations by medical specialists);
– the availability of medical personnel (doctor, nurse, etc.) trained in HIV/AIDS infection and familiar with the specifics of the medical follow-up of patients in this category;
– availability of social/psychological support at the medical observation stage of an HIV-infected patient; Since HIV treatment is lifelong and treatment fatigue can occur at any stage, at the beginning of the treatment process, each patient must comply – the patient’s willingness to follow the doctor’s recommendations, his awareness and inclination to treatment;
– reduce and overcome manifestations of stigma and discrimination in society vis-à-vis this disease in general and the patient infected with HIV in particular. This problem is probably still one of the main reasons for the late seeking of medical help and, therefore, the late initiation of HIV treatment.
Oleksandre Belay, doctor specializing in infectious diseases of the polyclinic department of the municipal enterprise “Clinical Hospital of the Central Poltava District of the Poltava City Council”