Background One fifth of Kazakhstan’s population is labor migrants working in poor conditions with limited legal rights. This paper examines self-rated health, mental health and access to health care among migrant workers. Methods Using geo-mapping, a random sample of internal and external migrant market workers was selected in Almaty (N=450). We used survey logistic regression adjusted for clustering of workers within stalls. Results Almost half of participants described their health as fair or poor and reported not seeing a doctor when needed, 6.2% had clinical depression and 8.7% met criteria for alcohol abuse. Female external migrants were at higher risk for poor health and underutilization of health services. High mobility was associated with depression among internal migrants and with alcohol abuse among female migrant workers. Conclusions This study demonstrates the urgent need to address health and mental health needs and improve access to health care among labor migrants in Central Asia.

This pilot randomized controlled trial in Kazakhstan aimed to adapt and test the feasibility of a couple-based HIV/STI risk-reduction intervention (CHSR) for couples who are injecting drug users (IDUs). The study examined the preliminary effects of the intervention versus an attentional control wellness promotion (WP) condition on HIV risk behavioral outcomes among 40 couples who are IDUs (n = 80 participants). Compared with WP participants, CHSR participants were significantly more likely to increase condom use and decrease unsafe injection acts at the 3-month follow-up. This pilot trial demonstrates the feasibility and preliminary effects of the CHSR in reducing drug-related and sexual HIV risks.

This paper examines prevalence rates of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among a sample of IDUs and their heterosexual intimate partners (N=728) from Almaty, Kazakhstan. The study uses baseline data from Project Renaissance, a couple-based HIV prevention intervention delivered to a couple where one or both partners are injecting drug users. HIV prevalence rates among female and male IDUs were 28%. Among the full sample, 75% had HCV, and 13% tested positive for the syphilis antibody test. Only 10% of the sample ever visited a needle exchange program. One fourth (25.3%) had never been tested for HIV. One-quarter of those who tested positive were unaware of their status. Being HIV positive was associated with a history of incarceration, being an IDU, and having access to needle exchange programs. The findings call for increasing efforts to improve access to HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and care for IDUs in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Objective Project Renaissance is a randomized controlled trial of an HIV/HCV/STI prevention intervention conducted in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We hypothesized that couples assigned to the intervention of interest will have lower incidence of HIV, HCV, sexually transmitted infections (STI), rates of unprotected sex, and unsafe injection over the 12-month follow up period compared to those assigned to an attention control arm. Design A total of 300 couples (600 participants) where one or both partners reported injecting drugs in the past 90 days were randomized to one of two arms: (1) a five-session HIV/HCV/STI prevention intervention (Risk Reduction: RR), or (2) a five-session Wellness Promotion (WP) intervention. Results Over the 12-month follow up period, assignment to RR compared to WP significantly lowered the incidence of HCV infection by 69% (IRR=0.31, 95% CI=0.10 – 0.90, p=0.031). Although differences were not statistically significant, RR participants had a lower incidence of HIV infection by 51% (IRR=0.49, 95% CI=0.16 – 1.48, p=0.204) and any STI by 37% (IRR=0.63, 95%=0.21 – 1.93, p=0.418) than WP participants. RR participants reported significantly fewer numbers of unprotected vaginal sex acts with their study partners (IRR=0.58, 95% CI=0.36 – 0.93, p=0.024) and more consistent condom use (OR=2.30, 95% CI=1.33 – 4.00, p=0.003) over the entire follow-up period compared to WP participants. Conclusion Project Renaissance demonstrated a significant effect for biological and behavioral endpoints. Findings draw attention to an HIV/HCV/STI prevention intervention strategy that can be scaled up for drug-involved couples in harm reduction programs, drug treatment, and criminal justice settings.