BACKGROUND: High risk settings for transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) offer an opportunity for screening of difficult to reach risk groups. METHODS: Free, anonymous counselling and testing for HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia and hepatitis B/C were offered to visitors in two selected gay venues in Antwerp, by a multidisciplinary team. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire. The STI-test results were communicated by cell phone using standardised text messages. RESULTS: In total, 137 MSM were tested. Facilitators of risky sexual behaviour (alcohol and drug use) were reported by 34 and 21%, respectively. Four men (3%) were newly diagnosed with HIV; 25 men (18%) had an active, transmittable STI. Infected MSM were significantly less often registered with a fixed general practitioner (GP). CONCLUSIONS: Outreach testing in gay venues is a suitable method to detect MSM at risk for HIV/STI. Although the outreach approach is very labour intensive, it shows a high yield of new STI-diagnoses that are not detected in the regular health system.
BACKGROUND: High risk settings for transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) offer an opportunity for screening of difficult to reach risk groups. METHODS: Free, anonymous counselling and testing for HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia and hepatitis B/C were offered to visitors in two selected gay venues in Antwerp, by a multidisciplinary team. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire. The STI-test results were communicated by cell phone using standardised text messages. RESULTS: In total, 137 MSM were tested. Facilitators of risky sexual behaviour (alcohol and drug use) were reported by 34 and 21%, respectively. Four men (3%) were newly diagnosed with HIV; 25 men (18%) had an active, transmittable STI. Infected MSM were significantly less often registered with a fixed general practitioner (GP). CONCLUSIONS: Outreach testing in gay venues is a suitable method to detect MSM at risk for HIV/STI. Although the outreach approach is very labour intensive, it shows a high yield of new STI-diagnoses that are not detected in the regular health system.
Authors: S Croxford; L Tavoschi; A K Sullivan; L Combs; D Raben; V Delpech; S F Jakobsen; A J Amato-Gauci; S Desai Journal: HIV Med Date: 2019-11-04 Impact factor: 3.180
Authors: Tom Platteau; Katrien Fransen; Ludwig Apers; Chris Kenyon; Laura Albers; Tine Vermoesen; Jasna Loos; Eric Florence Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-09-01 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Adi Nugroho; Vicki Erasmus; Sarah E Krier; Kusnindyah P Reviagana; Pipiet A Laksmono; Asti Widihastuti; Jan Hendrik Richardus Journal: Health Promot Int Date: 2020-10-01 Impact factor: 2.483