Georgia faces a significant stigma surrounding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Many people in society still believe that only the LGBT community and intravenous drug users can contract these diseases. This misconception makes it challenging for those in the risk groups to decide to get tested for HIV, resulting in a higher number of infected individuals who are unaware of their positive status.
One of the key challenges Georgia faces in terms of HIV spread is reaching the UN AIDS 90-90-90 goals. While the country has made progress in treating those who are aware of their HIV-positive status, only 36% of people living with HIV in Georgia are aware of their condition, according to a recent UN report. This highlights the need for more people in the risk groups to get tested.
To address this issue, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Georgia, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, and Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) launched an innovative project. The project also involved Caritas Czech Republic and the Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health “Tanadgoma” in 2022. The second phase of the project focused on developing and testing behaviorally informed communication messages to encourage the general population to self-test for HIV.
This project was the first time that an innovative approach was used in the healthcare sector in Georgia. Khatuna Sandroshvili, an innovations specialist, explains that the project was based on behavioral science and aimed to develop services and policy recommendations. The team involved in the project worked with various partners to conduct a randomized controlled trial and make specific recommendations for improving HIV testing rates.
Some of the key recommendations included using simple language and breaking up the content into paragraphs. The team also suggested using negative language when discussing the government to make the content more relatable to the target audience. By using an innovative approach, the project was able to achieve its goal of increasing HIV testing rates in Georgia and providing valuable insights for future healthcare initiatives.
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