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HIV testing: which strategies increase coverage?

The UK features strongly in a new systematic literature review of HIV testing strategies in Europe. Of 130 intervention and/or feasibility studies on HIV testing in health care settings that were identified, 78 were from the UK.

The interventions identified included provision of testing, testing campaigns, and education and training initiatives for healthcare providers and patients.

  • HIV test coverage achieved through testing provision varied from 2.9-94% in primary care and from 3.9-66% in emergency departments.
  • Most studies of ‘indicator condition’ testing reported a 10-20% increase in coverage after implementation.
  • Testing interventions in health care settings were generally acceptable to patients and providers; for example, testing by general practitioners was acceptable to 77-93% of respondents.

Several strategies that could achieve high HIV testing coverage were identified. These included:

  • Testing in primary care.
  • Scaling up ‘indicator condition’ testing – although some primary care providers find it unacceptable to target particular groups for testing.
  • Introducing testing in high-prevalence areas.
  • Integrated testing for bloodborne viruses in settings such as drug clinics, prisons and STI clinics.

The systematic review is available via open access.


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