Comparación de dos estrategias de cribado de la infección por VIH y VHC en atención primariaEstudio DRIVE 03

Abstract

The OptTEST study highlights the association between knowledge and barriers to HIV testing, including HIV testing rates. It shows that it is possible to modify knowledge and reduce perceived barriers through educational programs, subsequently improving HIV screening outcomes. A simple operational program that includes a nursing-assisted screening, with a selection of patients through a risk assessment questionnaire and using rapid tests, can lead to an increase in screening rates of HIV and HCV. New HCV diagnoses and participants previously diagnosed but not linked to care increased significantly, showing a high percentage of active infections subsidiary of receiving antiviral treatment. Five easily self-reported exposure risk factors and clinical conditions accurately identified HCV infected patients. The use of a structured questionnaire could be a useful strategy for directing HCV screening in the general population and contribute to its eradication. We find a prevalence of HCV active infections higher than the one recently described nationwide, and with a higher percentage of newly diagnosed patients than in similar works in other Spanish regions. These differences justify the need to perform local assessments of the prevalence of HCV infection in each of the health areas where it is planned to implement and monitor a microelimination program.