ECOM Holds Workshop for Physicians in Kazakhstan as Part of Injectable PrEP Study

ECOM experts conducted a training workshop for physicians and specialists in Kazakhstan as part of preparations for a study on the implementation of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV.

The event was held as part of ECOM’s project focused on assessing the acceptability and feasibility of using injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention in Kazakhstan. In the near future, the study will include in-depth interviews with representatives of key populations affected by HIV, as well as with healthcare workers and other stakeholders.

To launch the field phase of the study, Elena German and Nikolay Lunchenkov tested the tools and trained future interviewers. The workshop “LEAP-Kazakhstan Study: Acceptability of Injectable Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention” covered key aspects of qualitative research, including the ethics of working with key populations, study protocols, in-depth interviewing skills, working with sensitive topics, focus groups, and data management.

For participants, the training offered the opportunity to participate in a pilot study, since lenacapavir, as a long-acting form of PrEP, is not yet available in any country in the region. This workshop marked the first step toward making injectable PrEP a feasible HIV prevention option in Kazakhstan in the coming years.

“The study of implementing lenacapavir — one of the most innovative developments in HIV prevention — set a high scientific standard for the discussion and made the training particularly relevant and motivating. Thanks to the high professionalism of the trainers — Elena German and Nikolay Lunchenkov — the training was conducted in a dynamic and interactive format, combining in-depth methodological content with active participant engagement. Despite the participants’ considerable experience, many analytical techniques and tools were new and sparked lively interest,” shared Assel Terlkibayeva, Regional Director at the Global Health Research Center of Central Asia and a workshop participant.

Earlier, ECOM launched a new research project to study the acceptability and potential models for introducing injectable lenacapavir-based HIV PrEP in Kazakhstan.

The training and research are conducted with financial support from the WEEPI Foundation.