Partnership to Prevent HIV Targets Russian Street Youth
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| Artur Valiev (left) of Janssen-Cilag Russia (the local subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) and USAID/Russia Mission Director Leon Waskin signing the partnership agreement at a St. Petersburg drop-in center for street youth. |
On March 18, 2009, USAID/Russia signed a public-private partnership with Johnson & Johnson and HealthRight International to prevent the spread of HIV among street children and other vulnerable youth in St. Petersburg, Russia. USAID/Russia Mission Director Leon Waskin and St. Petersburg Consul General Sheila Gwaltney participated in the Memorandum of Cooperation signing ceremony, which was held at a drop-in center for street children that was established by the partners under an earlier alliance project.
Current estimates indicate that there are up to 10,000 street children and youth in St. Petersburg, many of whom struggle with substance abuse and other risky behaviors. A 2005 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found extremely high rates of HIV transmission (37.4 percent) among this group, who have limited access to clinical treatment and care.
With support from USAID/Russia and Johnson & Johnson, HealthRight International (formerly Doctors of the World-USA) together with its local partner, Doctors to Children, will reach 500 vulnerable youth in St. Petersburg with effective HIV prevention messages and a broad continuum of services, including mobile voluntary testing for HIV and referrals to treatment and care. The project will also develop a cadre of social workers trained in HIV prevention among street youth, and disseminate a package of HIV prevention best practices to government institutions and NGOs.
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