Features and problems of organizing social work with HIV‐infected people in modern conditions (using the example of the Irkutsk region)

Relevance. The increasing role of social work with HIV‐infected people in modern conditions as a soughtafter mechanism for ensuring their quality of life and social well‐being at the personal, group and social levels. Methods. Method of secondary analysis of sociological research data, monitoring analysis, in‐depth interview, SWOT analysis. Aim. To analyze the features and problems of organizing social work with HIV‐infected people at the current stage of development of Russian society (using the example of the Irkutsk region). Results. The paper reveals the social situation of HIV‐infected people at the present stage of Russian society. The problems they face in the labor sphere, in the penitentiary system, often caused by low public awareness, the existence of stereotypes, prejudices, myths and misinformation about HIV infection are shown. The authors have analyzed the results of sociological research conducted in different years. The results showed that today the attitude of Russians towards HIV‐positive people has become more tolerant in general, towards HIV‐infected colleagues in particular. The paper emphasizes the role of social work in improving the quality of daily life of HIV‐infected people and introduces the up‐to‐date statistical information for 2021–2023. It reveals the dynamics of changes in the main indicators of the situation in the Irkutsk region on HIV infection, as well as the proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide and in Russia as a whole. The paper describes the activities of the Irkutsk Regional Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases, the technologies and forms of work used by it, including innovative ones. The authors analyzed the results of a qualitative interview with specialists in social work at the Irkutsk AIDS Center for studying the content and features of their professional activities, and identified the problems and difficulties they face when communicating with patients of the center. The results of a SWOT analysis of social work organization in our country are described, and practical recommendations for optimizing social work with HIV‐infected people in modern conditions are stated. Conclusions. Despite the difficulties, social work specialists accompany and support HIV‐infected people from the moment they establish a positive HIV status and before they begin palliative care, reducing the negative social consequences of their HIV status, thereby contributing to improving the quality of daily life and providing them with a certain social well‐being in society.