KIT leads development of new concepts for HIV and co-infections prevention in EU and neighbouring countries

18 January 2012

The Executive Agency for Health and Consumers has contracted the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) as the leading agency of a consortium, together with AIDS Foundation East West (AFEW) and the Eurasian harm Reduction Network (EHRN).

The consortium aims to develop tailor-made and evidence-informed HIV and co-infection strategies for EU member states and for some neighbouring countries. HIV incidence among specific population groups, such as injecting drug users, men having sex with men, migrants from countries with generalized HIV epidemics, as well as heterosexuals, is on the rise in certain European countries/regions.

While global guidelines and prevention strategies for targeted HIV interventions for such sub-populations have been developed, these have not been-tailor made to address social, medical, legal, political or financial challenges that are being faced in these countries or regions. The consortium will develop guidelines and on-line tools to support the Commission of the European Communities Communication on combating HIV in the EU and neighbouring countries.

Within KIT three departments are involved with this project: Development Policy & Practice (the sexual and reproductive health and HIV team), Biomedical Research and Information & Library Services.