It All Starts with a Conversation: HIV Prevention Among Young People in Almaty Region

November 7, 2025

Kegen district is one of the most remote areas of the Almaty region. On 6 November 2025, a roundtable discussion titled “From Challenges to Effective Change in the HIV Response Among Adolescents” was held there.

The event was organized by the Almaty Regional AIDS Center and Ms. R. Umirseitova, a methodologist of the Kegen District Department of Education, with the participation of physicians from the Kegen District Central Hospital — obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. A. Kadirova, psychologist Ms. S. Zhanybekova, and narcologist Dr. A. Turlybai.

School principals, deputy principals for student affairs, biology teachers, and school health workers took part in the roundtable — a total of 45 educators.

During the meeting, the participants discussed pressing issues related to the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents, the impact of social factors, and the key role of families and schools in promoting responsible health behavior.

“Today it is especially important to speak with adolescents about health openly, in a language they understand. Only an informed person can protect themselves and others,” — emphasized psychologist Ms. Zhanybekova.

As part of the HIV Prevention Campaign Among School-Age Youth, a series of seminars were also held in Kegen district schools — the S. Serkebayev Gymnasium, the O. Zhanabayev Secondary School, the K. Nurpeisuly Lyceum, the I. Zhumagulov School, and the Böleksaz Secondary School. The information and awareness sessions reached a total of 396 students from grades 8–11.

Such initiatives not only increase adolescents’ knowledge and awareness of HIV, but also strengthen cooperation between educators and health professionals in prevention efforts — helping young people develop informed attitudes toward their health and adopt safer behaviors.

all news »