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.

6-Year Risk of Developing Lung Cancer in Spain: Analysis by Autonomous Communities.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been proposed as a strategy to reduce lung cancer mortality. Since LDCT has side effects there is a need to carefully select the target population for screening programmes. Because in Spain health competences are transferred to the seventeen Autonomous Communities (ACs), the present paper aims to identify individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer in the different ACs. METHODS: We used the 2011-2012 data of the Spanish National Interview Health Survey (n=21,006) to estimate the proportion of individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer using a 6-year prediction model (PLCOm2012). This proportion was then extrapolated into absolute figures for the Spanish population, using the population census data of 2018 from the National Institute of Statistics. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals aged 50-74 with a risk of lung cancer ≥2% was 9.5% (15.9% in men, 3.5% in women). This proportion ranged from 6.6% in Región de Murcia to 12.7% in Andalucía and 13.0% in Extremadura. When extrapolated to the Spanish population, it was estimated that a total of 1,341,483 individuals may have a 6-year risk of lung cancer ≥2%. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first one that evaluated the number of individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer in the different Spanish ACs using a prediction model and selecting people with a 6-year risk ≥2%. Further studies should assess the cost and effectiveness associated to the implementation of a lung cancer screening programme to such population.

6-Year Risk of Developing Lung Cancer in Spain: Analysis by Autonomous Communities.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been proposed as a strategy to reduce lung cancer mortality. Since LDCT has side effects there is a need to carefully select the target population for screening programmes. Because in Spain health competences are transferred to the seventeen Autonomous Communities (ACs), the present paper aims to identify individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer in the different ACs. METHODS: We used the 2011-2012 data of the Spanish National Interview Health Survey (n=21,006) to estimate the proportion of individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer using a 6-year prediction model (PLCOm2012). This proportion was then extrapolated into absolute figures for the Spanish population, using the population census data of 2018 from the National Institute of Statistics. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals aged 50-74 with a risk of lung cancer ≥2% was 9.5% (15.9% in men, 3.5% in women). This proportion ranged from 6.6% in Región de Murcia to 12.7% in Andalucía and 13.0% in Extremadura. When extrapolated to the Spanish population, it was estimated that a total of 1,341,483 individuals may have a 6-year risk of lung cancer ≥2%. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first one that evaluated the number of individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer in the different Spanish ACs using a prediction model and selecting people with a 6-year risk ≥2%. Further studies should assess the cost and effectiveness associated to the implementation of a lung cancer screening programme to such population.

Cancer incidence in AIDS patients in Catalonia, Spain.

HIV infected people and AIDS patients develop cancer more frequently than the general population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing cancer among 15 to 69 year old AIDS patients from two geographic areas: Tarragona and Girona provinces, in north-eastern Spain. We have studied invasive and in situ cancers (for all sites) among 1659 AIDS patients from +/-5 years around the date of their AIDS diagnosis by matching the population-based Cancer Registries with the AIDS Registry covering these populations. The periods used in the linkage were 1981-1998 for Tarragona and 1994-1999 for Girona. Sex and age-standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) of observed-to-expected cancers were calculated by type of cancer as a measure of risk. For selected types of cancers, SIRs were also calculated for HIV exposure category. Compared with the general population, incidence of cancer among AIDS patients (invasive and in situ) increased 22.9 fold in men (n=142) and 21.0 fold in women (n=45). High statistically significant SIRs were found for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) (male, 486.4; female, 1030.0), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (male, 126.1; female, 192.8) and invasive cervical cancer (41.8). High risks were also found for Hodgkin's lymphoma (31.1), liver cancer (29.4) and lung cancer (9.4) in men, and in situ cervical cancer (24.4) in women. For all non-AIDS defining malignant neoplasms as a group SIRs were 3.4 in men and 2.5 in women. Among men, homo/bisexuality was strongly related to risk of KS and NHL. The rates of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, liver cancer and lung cancer were among the highest ever reported linked to HIV infection. For the cervical cancer this could be attributable to the low incidence of this cancer in the general population and to the high prevalence of intravenous drug users among HIV women and probably due to poor preventive strategies in this population.

[Reporting of newly diagnosed HIV infections in Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain. Implementation and results]. / Declaración de los nuevos diagnósticos de infección por el VIH en Cataluña. Implementación y resultados.

OBJECTIVES: To describe newly diagnosed HIV infections from the HIV Reporting System in Catalonia (2001-2003), and to compare the characteristics of the epidemic based on the use of the HIV Reporting System and the Catalonian AIDS Registry versus those based on the Catalonian AIDS Registry alone. METHODS: Data were collected from newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases between 2001 and 2003 in Catalonia. RESULTS: Among the newly diagnosed HIV infections (1,765) the most frequent route of HIV infection was heterosexual transmission (46.8%), followed by men who had sex with men (26.7%), and injecting drug use (19.9%). Out of the 1,210 AIDS cases, the most common route of HIV transmission was injecting drug used (42.2%), followed by (heterosexual transmission 34.5%) and MSM (18.0%). Comparison of routes of HIV transmission in the two reporting systems (HIV/AIDS versus AIDS) revealed statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The HIV/AIDS Reporting System based on reporting of newly diagnosed HIV infections is feasible, since it has been useful in achieving the objectives of epidemiological HIV infection surveillance. It also provides more accurate information than does the AIDS Registry, which can be used to describe recent patterns of HIV transmission. The completeness of the new reporting system may be enhanced by including the diagnosis of HIV infection among the diseases of mandatory notification.

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.