Training on HIV prevention and building tolerance towards individuals living with HIV was conducted in late March at Mirzo Tursunzoda Rural Health Center, Shahrinav District with the participation of 25 health workers from nearby health centers, (such as Mulloshodi, Hasanov, Ajam, Obodon and Nurafshon). The trainers conducted presentations, group work, and practical exercises.

The event aimed to raise awareness among the medical staff of the health centers’ network on HIV issues to improve medical and social services for people living with HIV.  During the presentation, information was provided about the global and local disease situation in Tajikistan. Cases of discrimination and stigma within society, the main causes of HIV infection, its symptoms, and subsequent diagnosis were highlighted and explained.

Medical workers received practical information in interactive mode with individual tasks.

"We thank the trainers for the valuable information on HIV prevention and control methods. The training was incredibly useful."-shared one of the training participants.

Pre-tests (37.7%) and post-tests (71.2%) consisting of 15 questions were used to assess the training participants' level of knowledge on the topic.  The results showed that the percentage of awareness had successfully increased after the training.

The training was funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in the frame of the “Building a System on Integrated Primary Health Care in Tajikistan (BaSIC) Project.