Mental health and cognition in relation to adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV in Kazakhstan: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: There is a research gap in how mental health and cognition are associated with antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Kazakhstan.

Methods: We randomly selected and enrolled 230 PLWH from the Almaty City AIDS Center registry (June-November 2019) into a cross-sectional study. We examined associations between self-reported ART adherence for the last 1 and 2 weeks; the Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) and symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder tool [GAD-7]), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Checklist [PTSD]); cognitive function (PROMIS v2.

Nonpharmaceutical interventions reduce the incidence and mortality of COVID-19: A study based on the survey from the International COVID-19 Research Network (ICRN).

The recently emerged novel coronavirus, "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)," caused a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has severely damaged the world's most developed countries and has turned into a major threat for low- and middle-income countries. Since its emergence in late 2019, medical interventions have been substantial, and most countries relied on public health measures collectively known as nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).

Re-validation and cultural adaptation of the brief, standardized assessment tool for measuring HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The HIV epidemic continues to grow in Kazakhstan and HIV stigma remains a major barrier to HIV prevention and treatment in the country. HIV stigma in healthcare setting may also discourage people living with HIV (PLHIV) from getting the care needed. Therefore, studying the attitudes of healthcare workers towards PLHIV is important and requires well-constructed measurement tools adapted to the specific cultural context.

ARV DRUG RESISTANCE MUTATIONS AMONG A6 SUBTYPE PLWH IN KAZAKHSTAN.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established HIV regimens that include a variety of antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications for the treatment of HIV infected people. The Ministry of Health in Kazakhstan has authorized a clinical protocol (№97, 11.06.

Healthcare Providers' Perspectives and Role in Improving Patient Engagement in HIV Treatment and Care in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The HIV epidemic continues to grow in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. At the same time, there are major gaps in engagement in HIV treatment and care among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the region, including Kazakhstan. Healthcare providers may have the potential to improve patients' initiation of and adherence to HIV treatment; however, their perspectives and experiences are often overlooked in the research from Kazakhstan.

Antiretroviral therapy among patients with HIV in Almaty, Kazakhstan: the implication for HIV-associated tuberculosis control.

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an effective preventive strategy against tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLWH). In Kazakhstan, according to the revised HIV treatment guideline (2017), ART should be initiated immediately after HIV diagnosis established, regardless of CD4+ count.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of early initiation of ART on TB infection in PLWH registered in the Center of Prevention and Control of AIDS, Almaty, Kazakhstan, between 2008 and 2018.

The survival rate of tuberculosis patients in HIV-treated cohort of 2008-2018 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Introduction: HIV/TB comorbidity is responsible for 1.6 million deaths worldwide. HIV/TB control and patients' survival are still among priorities of the national HIV and TB programs.

HBV Prevention and Treatment in Countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus are linked by travel and trade, which is promoted by visa-free mobility across borders. Unfortunately, this migrant mobility has given rise to the transmission of various infections within this region. Overlaps in culture, tradition, and behavior among these countries provide opportunities to share experiences that have proven effective in controlling transmission.

Factors associated with being on antiretroviral treatment among people living with HIV in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Like other countries in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Kazakhstan has seen an increase in the number of new HIV cases in recent years. HIV treatment coverage among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kazakhstan is suboptimal; however, the country has committed to reaching the 90-90-90 goals for HIV diagnosis and treatment. Kazakhstan has recently committed to the "test and treat" approach, and provides antiretroviral treatment (ART) to all PLHIV.

Anxiety and depression among women living with HIV in Kazakhstan.

An increase in new HIV infections among women in Kazakhstan has motivated efforts to improve access to comprehensive health services. This study estimates anxiety and depression frequency among women seeking HIV services. A cross-sectional survey was administered to women seen at the Almaty AIDS Center.

Factors influencing the quality of life in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The study purpose was to determine the factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kazakhstan. A convenience sample of 531 adult PLHIV registered at the Almaty City AIDS Center was used for this cross-sectional study. HRQoL data were collected with the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life HIV brief questionnaire, depression – with Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and clinical data were retrieved from medical records.

Untreated depression among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus in Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional study.

Background: In Kazakhstan, scarce official prevalence data exists for mood disorders. This study investigates the occurrence of depressive symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and the relationship between depressive symptoms, HIV treatment initiation and antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients seen at the Almaty AIDS Center between April and December 2013.

Developing effective HIV education in Central Asia: a cross-sectional study among Kazakh medical students.

Introduction: The HIV epidemic continues to expand in Central Asia, bridging from injecting drug users to the general population, largely through heterosexual transmission. This study describes medical students' attitudes and behaviours regarding HIV and sexual practices in response to recently introduced HIV curriculum.

Methodology: Medical students in Almaty, Kazakhstan, were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey between April and November, 2013.

Relationship between vitamin D and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load among HIV-infected patients in Kazakhstan.

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with inflammation. An association between vitamin D deficiency and inflammation also exists. Our study attempts to examine whether there may be a relationship between vitamin D and HIV viral load (HIV RNA) by: 1) characterizing the distribution of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), and 2) determining if 25-OHD is independently associated with HIV RNA.

Universal precautions in Central Asia: the need for multiple strategies in this window of opportunity.

Background: Adoption of universal precautions remains a global concern. In low- and middle-income countries, the problem is exacerbated by a shortage of protective supplies, lack of training among clinicians, and an expanding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic.

Aim: To describe the perceptions of medical students about the risk of HIV and use of universal precautions, and to identify recent exposures to blood or bodily fluids.

Seatbelt and child-restraint use in Kazakhstan: attitudes and behaviours of medical university students.

Traffic fatalities in Kazakhstan increased from 15 to more than 30 per 100 000 between 2001 and 2006. Mortality remains high compared with developed nations. Safety-restraint laws have been enacted, but little data exist regarding usage of seatbelts, particularly among children and passengers.

Central Asian republics: a case study for medical education reform.

Social, political, and economic changes in the former Soviet Union precipitated both the collapse of a once-centralized medical education system in the region and the development of individual models in its place. In the context of rapid globalization and international concerns about health, this development of "nation-based" models for the structure, content, language, and duration of instruction generated concerns about regional accreditation; workforce planning; student qualifications; residency training; continuing education; and infrastructure, such as access to literature, an adequate clinical training base, and links to certification and licensure. The World Health Organization acknowledges that the development of human resources for health is a complex and key element in reforming health systems.

[Immunocompetent cells in organs of local and systemic immunity in intact and sensitized guinea pigs upon specific intranasal immunotherapy].

The normal levels of some lymphocyte populations and subpopulations in the lungs and lymph nodes draining the respiratory tract have been determined. The influence of systemic delayed hypersensitivity (DH) to staphylococci and the multiple introduction of staphylococcal antigen into intact and sensitized guinea pigs on the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in the central, peripheral and respiratory lymphoid organs has been studied. Systemic DH has been found to affect the level of immunocytes in the thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs; the local introduction of the allergen and the intranasal immunotherapy of systemic DH produce both local (the lungs and their lymph nodes) and systemic effect.

[Effect of detergent and glycerin on the efficacy of nasal immunotherapy with allergens and on the level of the lymphocyte subpopulation in the organs of local immunity].

Experimental mixed allergy to staphylococcal antigens in guinea pigs was treated by the intranasal administration of a staphylococcal allergen with a surfactant or glycerin added. The treatment was found to produce a hyposensitizing effect with respect to immediate and delayed hypersensitivity. The addition of glycerine enhanced this effect.

[Lymphocyte subpopulations in sensitization and specific immunotherapy in an experiment. Lymphocyte subpopulations in the specific immunotherapy of microbial allergy and subsequent heterologous pollen sensitization].

The influence exerted by the specific immunotherapy (SIT) of delayed hypersensitivity (DH) to staphylococci and subsequent sensitization with tarragon pollen on the level of immunocompetent cells in the blood and lymphoid organs of guinea pigs was studied. On the whole, SIT normalized the characteristics of T- and B-lymphocytes, altered as the result of experimentally induced DH: the content of T-cells in the peripheral blood and the lymph nodes increased, while the number of B-cells in the blood and T gamma-suppressors increased. The subsequent heterologous sensitization with pollen abolished the effect of SIT, inducing the general decrease of the level of T gamma-lymphocytes and enhancing the number of T-lymphocytes in the lymph nodes.

[Lymphocyte subpopulations in sensitization and specific immunotherapy in an experiment. Lymphocyte subpopulations in sensitization to staphylococci, Artemisia pollen and their combinations].

The distribution of T- and B-lymphocytes in the body of guinea pigs was studied in different groups of the animals. As shown in this study, in delayed hypersensitivity to staphylococci the number of PE- and E-rosette-forming cells increased in the blood, the spleen, and the lymph nodes and decreased in the thymus; the number of EA- and EAC-rosette-forming cells decreased in the bone marrow and the spleen, the number of T gamma-suppressors decreased in the bone marrow and the distant lymph node. Immediate hypersensitivity to tarragon pollen induced the general increase of the content of T- and B-lymphocytes; the number of T gamma-cells decreased in the thymus, the bone marrow, and the lymph nodes and increased in the spleen.

[Formation of pollen-induced allergy in guinea pigs after specific immunotherapy with a bacterial allergen].

The investigation was aimed at elucidating the process of the development of allergy to exoallergens (e.g., to linear-leaf wormwood pollen) in the body after desensitization by specific immunotherapy (SIT) with heterologous (staphylococcal) allergen.

[Specific experimental therapy in sensitization to group A streptococci].

A model of delayed hypersensitivity to Streptococcus hemolyticus, group A, were obtained in guinea pigs and rabbits. Studies of spontaneous changes of the immuno-allergic reactivity revealed that after a month of sensitization there developed delayed hypersensitivity only; according to the results of late skin tests it lasted not less than 6 months (the duration of investigation). The delayed hypersensitivity component began to manifest itself in 2 1/2 to 3 months and increased later on.