The problem on adherence to ARV therapy is a key one in implementing the programs on prevention, treatment and care for PLWHA in the countries of the region. Year by year number of revealed new HIV infection cases is increasing. In total 31,750 HIV-infected people have been registered in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by 1 January 2009 , but the estimated number of HIV infected people is up to 42,400 people.

Development of medical science and progress in pharmacology have led to the fact that nowadays health professionals have the tools in hands which are capable to significantly increase life expectancy of patients and improve quality of their lives. Effectiveness of the treatment is obvious and shows its worth at the example of occurrence of HIV-infection ARV therapy which is capable to increase patients life expectancy to 13-17 years by now.

Along with that it is known that among patients who are prescribed drugs to be treated from chronic diseases (HIV-infection is a chronic, but not a fatal disease) either a prescribed treatment course is cancelled or specified doses of drugs are significantly reduced (up to 50-60%).

Adherence to ARV therapy means taking ARV drugs as per the regimen prescribed by a physician: at the certain time and in certain dosage upon observing a recommended dietary pattern.

Among factors contributing to forming adherence along with a patient’s own desire to be treated and awareness of the treatment including possible side effect and ways of its alleviation the researchers note such an important factor as presence of a support system by a close neighborhood, friends, psychologists, equal consultants and mutual assistance groups.

Therefore, representatives of AIDS service organizations and associations of people living with HIV and AIDS of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were invited to the workshop: managers of the social bureaus, psychologists, consultants and outreach workers who work with PLWHA. These people along with physician in charge, nurse and social worker are the integral part of the multidisciplinary team as they provide an important psychological assistance and support, form adherence of the patient to get ARV therapy. They have a training activity capacity and work experience on adherence to ARV therapy as equal consultants and in the staff of multi-disciplinary teams (physician, nurse, social worker or equal consultant).

The participants of the workshop will obtain trainer skills on the issues of forming adherence to ARV therapy in Central Asian countries that are necessary to train per-to-per consultants in their own countries who would be involved into providing complex services for PLWHA.