OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcomes of the pilot program of a rapid HIV antibody screening test offered at Basque pharmacies, the socio-demographic characteristics of users and their acceptance of the test. METHODS: Users of a rapid HIV antibody screening test (20 pharmacies) were surveyed. A random sample of 3514 tests (N = 806) performed in 1 year was taken. Statistical analyses included exact tests. RESULTS: There were 806 valid questionnaires. Seven tests were positive (0.85%; 95% confidence interval: 0.34-1.75); five of the users with positive tests were men. The mean age was 36.2 years (standard deviation = 11.0; range: 16-82 years; 70.7% men). Users' risk behavior was predominantly heterosexual and half of the users (58.6%) had no previous HIV tests. The main reasons for choosing this test were its speed, and the convenience and accessibility of community pharmacies. CONCLUSIONS: This new rapid HIV antibody screening test in community pharmacies could supplement other HIV screening programs currently in operation.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcomes of the pilot program of a rapid HIV antibody screening test offered at Basque pharmacies, the socio-demographic characteristics of users and their acceptance of the test. METHODS: Users of a rapid HIV antibody screening test (20 pharmacies) were surveyed. A random sample of 3514 tests (N = 806) performed in 1 year was taken. Statistical analyses included exact tests. RESULTS: There were 806 valid questionnaires. Seven tests were positive (0.85%; 95% confidence interval: 0.34-1.75); five of the users with positive tests were men. The mean age was 36.2 years (standard deviation = 11.0; range: 16-82 years; 70.7% men). Users' risk behavior was predominantly heterosexual and half of the users (58.6%) had no previous HIV tests. The main reasons for choosing this test were its speed, and the convenience and accessibility of community pharmacies. CONCLUSIONS: This new rapid HIV antibody screening test in community pharmacies could supplement other HIV screening programs currently in operation.
Authors: Sonia Fernández-Balbuena; María José Belza; Elena Urdaneta; Ramón Esteso; M Elena Rosales-Statkus; Luis de la Fuente Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2014-09-16 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: S Desai; L Tavoschi; A K Sullivan; L Combs; D Raben; V Delpech; S F Jakobsen; A J Amato-Gauci; S Croxford Journal: HIV Med Date: 2019-11-14 Impact factor: 3.180
Authors: Sonia Fernández-Balbuena; María José Belza; Daniel Zulaica; Jose Luis Martinez; Henar Marcos; Benet Rifá; Arantxa Arrillaga; Luis de la Fuente; Juan Hoyos Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-08-06 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Juan Hoyos; María José Belza; Sonia Fernández-Balbuena; María Elena Rosales-Statkus; José Pulido; Luis de la Fuente Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-08-30 Impact factor: 3.295