Psychosocial support for people with TB, HIV and viral hepatitis in the continuum of care in the WHO European Region

Overview

In spite of recent progress in ensuring access to rapid diagnostic tools, high-quality drugs and new treatment regimens for TB, HIV and viral hepatitis, the WHO European Region still faces a severe triple burden in relation to these diseases and treatment adherence remains a challenge. Psychosocial support is an important part of the continuum of care and a crucial component of integrated people-centred services to enable care and support and ensure completion of treatment. Currently, interventions related to psychosocial support for affected people, particularly in eastern European and central Asian countries, are donor-driven and provided mainly by civil society and community-based organizations. The overall aim of this report is to provide a review of existing practices in providing psychosocial support to people with TB, HIV and viral hepatitis in the WHO European Region, to discuss the general understanding of psychosocial support in the continuum of care, and to enhance and sustain psychosocial support services within country- and culture-specific settings. The report gives an overview of some literature and practices across the network of partners, assesses the impact and sustainability of these practices, and underlines relevant aspects for consideration when planning or providing psychosocial support for people with TB, HIV and viral hepatitis.