EACS2023: 333 Unleashing the power of proximity: early ART initiation in East Kazakhstan's remote regions N. Ryapolova , Y. Kudussova , A. Deryabina ICAP at Columbia University, Almaty, Kazakhstan General data Abstract category: Access and delivery of care Abstract body Purpose: In East Kazakhstan, initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) may only be conducted at the Regional AIDS Center in Ust-Kamenogorsk, requiring patients from remote areas to travel several hours for treatment. As a result, from December 2021 to May 2022, only 17 out of 34 (50%) newly diagnosed people living with HIV (PLHIV) in remote areas of East Kazakhstan started ART within seven days of diagnosis. To overcome treatment initiation delays, ICAP supported task shifting to allow primary health care (PHC) providers to initiate ART locally. Method: In November 2022, ICAP trained six PHC providers, including three doctors and three nurses, from the East Kazakhstan towns of Altai, Shemonaikha, and Glubokoe on how to provide early initiation of ART. Training topics included post-test HIV counseling, HIV treatment and adherence, and stigma surrounding HIV. Following the trainings, ICAP collaborated with the Regional AIDS Center to provide online mentoring support to PHC providers during patient counseling sessions via a telehealth platform. Results: From December 2022 to May 2023, 55 out of 63 (87%) newly diagnosed PLHIV in remote areas initiated ART within seven days of diagnosis. Compared to the same period of the prior year (December 2021-May 2022), early ART initiation increased by 37% after decentralization. Of the eight PLHIV who did not initiate treatment within seven days of diagnosis, three started ART late, and five were lost to follow-up. Conclusions: Decentralization of HIV services ensures that PLHIV can receive necessary treatment promptly following their diagnosis. ICAP plans to continue building the capacity of PHC providers by expanding training programs to include adherence and treatment continuity support and management of advanced HIV disease. General conditions 1. I confirm that I previewed this abstract and that all information is correct. I accept that the content of this abstract cannot be modified or corrected after the submission deadline and I am aware that it will be published exactly as submitted.: Yes 2. I confirm that the submission of the abstract constitutes my consent to publication (e.g. conference website, programmes, other promotions, etc.). : Yes 3. I herewith confirm that the contact details saved in this system are those of the corresponding author, who will be notified about the status of the abstract. The corresponding author is responsible for informing the other authors about the status of the abstract.: Yes 4. I agree that all data provided may be used (saved, stored, processed, transmitted and deleted) in compliance with the privacy policy to provide the services described.: Yes 1 1 1 1 18 19TH EUROPEAN AIDS CONFERENCE | WARSAW 2023
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