Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2221 - Test & repeat | ||||
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Session: 45.3: Test & repeat (Parallel) on Friday @ 09.00-10.30 in C103 Chaired by Vincent Pelletier, Sarah Skeen Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Jauffret-Roustide Marie - Inserm, France |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: Despite the great number of HIV tests performed every year in France, many people are still unaware of their HIV positive status, which contributes to “hidden epidemic” in France. Tests need to be much more frequent and their access easier, especially for those at high risk, such as MSM (Men who have Sex with Men), IDUs (Injecting Drug Users) and transgender sex-workers. Until now, the few HIV rapid testing initiatives implemented in France have been designed for MSM and have shown that rapid HIV screening offers established by community organizations are both attractive and effective in bringing them to into the circle of care. We implemented an interventional research study to evaluate the relevance and feasibility of rapid testing in the three social groups listed above. | ||||
| Method / Issue: ANRS-CUBE, a multidisciplinary study on the acceptability of HIV, HCV and HBV rapid testing and linkage to care in a medical, community-based context, was performed in Paris in 2014. It consisted of an epidemiological, interventional study combined with a sociological, qualitative study of perceptions and experiences of rapid testing among the three groups highlighted above and healthcare professionals. Initial results of the sociological element are presented here. Nine focus groups brought together healthcare and harm reduction professionals (3 before, and 6 during and after the intervention). Furthermore, 40 interviews with the beneficiaries of this intervention were performed. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Our preliminary results highlight that the reasons for the success of the rapid HIV screening offer among MSM are its physical and symbolic proximity to the targeted audience and its adaptation to their needs and living conditions. For many MSM, rapid testing is incorporated into their practices as a simple prevention habit and social acceptance of this intervention is very high. With respect to transgender sex workers, peer support is important in terms of testing and treatment information. Many such workers are already HIV positive and aware of their status, but for those HIV negative the frequent rapid testing intervention would seem to be very beneficial, because of constant exposure to risk. IDUs may be the hardest population to reach, because of their hesitation and fears, as well as the reticence of harm reduction professionals about the suitability of rapid testing for this population. Indeed, these professionals perceived the rapid testing proposal as disrupting their daily work in the management of social insecurity and psychiatric co-morbidities of IDUs. Furthermore, for professionals, rapid-testing brings up ethical questions about announcing positive test results and about how to help this vulnerable population access care. Organizational issues in risk-reduction structures were also highlighted. Indeed, during the intervention, the professionals were able to improve structure organization in order to make implementing the intervention possible. | ||||
| Discussion: With respect to the implementation of rapid testing and access to HIV treatment, this study highlighted that focus groups and interviews constitute a valuable communication medium for professionals and patients, as they encourage self-expression about ethical concerns and fears regarding rapid testing benefits for three different social groups in a context of risk exposure. | ||||
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