The contribution of HIV point-of-care tests in early HIV diagnosis: community-based HIV testing monitoring in Catalonia, 1995 to 2018.

BackgroundCommunity-based HIV testing services combined with the use of point-of-care tests (POCT) have the potential to improve early diagnosis through increasing availability, accessibility and uptake of HIV testing.AimTo describe community-based HIV testing activity in Catalonia, Spain, from 1995 to 2018, and to evaluate the impact of HIV POCT on the HIV continuum of care.MethodsA community-based network of voluntary counselling and testing services in Catalonia, Spain has been collecting systematic data on activity, process and results since 1995. A descriptive analysis was performed on pooled data, describing the data in terms of people tested and reactive screening test results.ResultsBetween 1995 and 2018, 125,876 HIV tests were performed (2.1% reactive). Since the introduction of HIV POCT in 2007, a large increase in the number of tests performed was observed, reaching 14,537 tests alone in 2018 (1.3% reactive). Men who have sex with men (MSM), as a proportion of all people tested, has increased greatly over time reaching 74.7% in 2018. The highest percentage of reactive tests was found in people who inject drugs followed by MSM. The contribution of community-based HIV testing to the overall total notified cases in the Catalonia HIV registry has gradually increased, reaching 37.9% in 2018, and 70% of all MSM cases. In 2018, the percentage of individuals with a reactive screening test who were linked to care was 89.0%.ConclusionOur study reinforces the important role that community-based HIV POCT has on the diagnosis of HIV in key populations.

Study on the approach to HIV: health management and the healthcare process in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: HIV continues to represent a problem of great relevance for public health in Spain. This study aims to carry out an analysis that will provide in-depth knowledge of the resources, clinical care, and management during the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment phases of HIV infection in Spain. METHODS: In the first phase, a multidisciplinary Scientific Committee designed an information collection tool in the form of a survey. In the second phase, carried out in the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Catalonia, and La Rioja, a multidisciplinary group of 42 experts, representatives of the public administration, clinical profiles, and representatives of NGOs in the field of HIV answered the survey. RESULTS: The assessment of HIV resources is generally positive. As regards diagnosis, the experts considered that there was good coordination between Primary and Hospital care. Regarding treatment, the evaluations reflected good opinions on therapeutic conciliation and adherence, with a negative opinion in the evaluation of drug interactions with antiretroviral treatment. Regarding follow-up, the perception expressed was disparate concerning the coordination between Hospital and Primary Care as well as the adaptation of care to chronicity, aging, fragility, mental health, and oncological processes. CONCLUSION: There are certain processes that can be improved in the management of HIV infection in people with HIV in Spain, including protocols for follow-up and coordination between primary and hospital care in the treatment and follow-up of the disease.

HIV, Chlamydia and gonorrhoea vulnerability depending to sex work site.

INTRODUCTION: Women sex workers (WSW) are one of key population on the HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) monitoring and evaluation. Socioeconomic, structural factors and other factors associated with the workplace influence exposure to these infections. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare the social characteristics, risk behaviours and HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoeae prevalence according to sex work site (street or highway, clubs and flats). METHODS: Cross-sectional study on 400 WSW in Catalonia. Socio-demographic, sex work and behavioral characteristics were collected through personal interview. Oral fluid and urine samples were collected to determine STI prevalence. RESULTS: WSW that exercised in the street or highway presented more precarious conditions and a greater vulnerability related to socioeconomic factors: older population, with a lower education level and with less economic remuneration for their service. Other factors associated with lifestyle or behaviour was also observed: greater injecting drug use, longer sex work or vulnerabilities associated with structural or social determinants: less access to health services, higher proportion of forced relations and stay in prison. The overall HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoeae prevalence was 3.0%, 1.8% and 0.5%, respectively and higher in women who exercised on the street or highway, 5.6%, 1.9% and 1.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The information generated in this study will be useful for the design specific preventive interventions aimed at this group.

Core indicators evaluation of effectiveness of HIV-AIDS preventive-control programmes carried out by nongovernmental organizations. A mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: The number of nongovernmental organizations working on AIDS has grown. There is great diversity in the type of activities and population groups that have been targeted. The purposes of this study are: to describe and analyze the objectives and HIV-AIDS preventive activities that are carried out by the AIDS-NGOs that work with AIDS in Catalonia and that receive subsidies from the Department of Health; and to develop a comprehensive proposal for measurable and agreed upon core quality evaluation indicators to monitor and assess those objectives and activities that can have an impact on the fight against inequalities and stigmatization, and incorporate the perspectives of the service providers and users. METHODS: A mixed method study has been carried out with professionals from the 36 NGOs that work with HIV/AIDS in Catalonia, as well as their users. This study achieved the completeness model using the following phases:1. A systematic review of AIDS-NGOs annual reports and preparation of a catalogue of activities grouped by objectives, level of prevention and AIDS-NGOs target population; 2. A transversal study through an ad-hoc questionnaire administered to the AIDS-NGOs representatives; 3. A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach through focus groups, individual interviews and observations; 4. Consensus meetings between AIDS-NGOs professionals and the research team using Haddon matrices in order to establish a proposal of evaluation indicators. RESULTS: The information was classified according to level of prevention and level of intervention. A total of 248 objectives and 258 prevention activities were identified. 1564 evaluation indicators, addressed to 7 target population groups, were produced. Thirty core activities were selected. The evaluation indicators proposed for these activities were: 76 indicators for 15 primary prevention activities, 43 for 5 secondary prevention activities and 68 for 10 tertiary prevention activities. CONCLUSIONS: The results could help to homogeneously assess the preventive-control activities carried out of AIDS-NGOs. The proposed indicators could help the professionals to improve the evaluation of the preventive-control AIDS-NGOs activities. Furthermore, the Haddon matrix enables us to identify deficiencies of activities at intervention levels and strategies to bear in mind in order to enhance the future AIDS prevention programs.

HIV, Chlamydia and gonorrhoea vulnerability depending to sex work site. / Vulnerabilidad frente al VIH, clamidia y gonococia según el lugar donde se ejerce el trabajo sexual.

INTRODUCTION: Women sex workers (WSW) are one of key population on the HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) monitoring and evaluation. Socioeconomic, structural factors and other factors associated with the workplace influence exposure to these infections. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare the social characteristics, risk behaviours and HIV, Chlamydia and gonorrhoeae prevalence according to sex work site (street or highway, clubs and flats). METHODS: Cross-sectional study on 400WSW in Catalonia. Socio-demographic, sex work and behavioral characteristics were collected through personal interview. Oral fluid and urine samples were collected to determine STI prevalence. RESULTS: WSW that exercised in the street or highway presented more precarious conditions and a greater vulnerability related to socioeconomic factors: older population, with a lower education level and with less economic remuneration for their service. Other factors associated with lifestyle or behaviour was also observed: greater injecting drug use, longer sex work or vulnerabilities associated with structural or social determinants: less access to health services, higher proportion of forced relations and stay in prison. The overall HIV, Chlamydia and gonorrhoeae prevalence was 3.0%, 1.8% and 0.5%, respectively, and higher in women who exercised on the street or highway: 5.6%, 1.9% and 1.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The information generated in this study will be useful for the design specific preventive interventions aimed at this group.

Experiences about HIV-AIDS preventive-control activities. Discourses from non-governmental organizations professionals and users.

OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to identify the experiences of professionals in nongovernmental organizations (NGO) in Catalonia (Spain) working in HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities and potential areas of improvement of these activities and their evaluation. A further aim was to characterize the experiences, knowledge and practices of users of these organizations with regard to HIV infection and its prevention. METHODS: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with the participation of both professionals and users of Catalan nongovernmental organizations (NGO) working in HIV/AIDS. Theoretical sampling (professional) and opportunistic sampling (users) were performed. To collect information, the following techniques were used: four focus groups and one triangular group (professionals), 22 semi-structured interviews, and two observations (users). A thematic interpretive content analysis was conducted by three analysts. RESULTS: The professionals of nongovernmental organizations working in HIV/AIDS adopted a holistic approach in their activities, maintained confidentiality, had cultural and professional competence and followed the principles of equality and empathy. The users of these organizations had knowledge of HIV/AIDS and understood the risk of infection. However, a gap was found between knowledge, attitudes and behavior. CONCLUSIONS: NGO offer distinct activities adapted to users' needs. Professionals emphasize the need for support and improvement of planning and implementation of current assessment. The preventive activities of these HIV/AIDS organizations are based on a participatory health education model adjusted to people's needs and focused on empowerment.

El consumo de alcohol en adolescentes estudiantes del nivel secundario de tres escuelas de la ciudad de San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca / Alcohol consumption among adolescent students at the secondary level from three schools in the city of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca

El presente estudio sobre el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes estudiantes del nivel secundario de tres escuelas de la ciudad de San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca se pretende establecer la prevalencia de consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en jóvenes estudiantes, determinando el sexo y edad de comienzo de consumo, el tipo de bebida, si conocen los efectos nocivos del alcohol y la asociación entre el consumo de cigarrillos y alcohol. Las conductas desajustadas o de riesgo para la salud, por el consumo de alcohol, no es un problema individual, ni por sus causas, ni por sus consecuencias. La prevención no es una labor específica de los profesionales de la salud o de la educación, como tampoco es un conjunto de prescripciones que los padres deben poner en funcionamiento en momentos concretos, ni consiste simplemente en unos determinados procedimientos legislativos. La prevención debe ser, por su propia naturaleza, inespecífica, confundida con el mismo desarrollo integral del ser humano. Se debe contemplar como un objetivo primario del proceso de socialización, pues este proceso vislumbra todas las fuerzas que operarßn sobre la conducta del adolescente. Es desde esta perspectiva, y no desde la implementación de dispositivos desintegrados, como comprometerse con cualquier intervención sobre esta problemßtica. Un buen abordaje integral de toda la comunidad, hace que mejoremos las conductas y resaltar los valores y respeto hacia toda la sociedad...

The present study alcohol consumption in adolescents of secondary school students from three schools in the city of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca is to establish the prevalence of alcohol consumption among young students, determining the sex and age of first use, the type of drink, if you know the harmful effects of alcohol and the association between cigarette smoking and alcohol. Maladjusted behaviors or health risk from consumption of alcohol, it is not an individual problem, not its causes, and its consequences. Prevention is not a specific work of health professionals or education, nor is it a set of requirements that parents must operate at specific times, or is simply in a certain legislative procedures. Prevention must be, by its very nature, nonspecific, confused with the same integral human development. It should be seen as a primary goal of the socialization process, as this process sees all the forces that operate on the adolescent's behavior. It is from this perspective, and not from the device implementation disintegrated as committing to any action on this issue. A good comprehensive approach to the whole community, for us to improve behaviors and highlight the values and respect for all of society...