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[HIV/AIDS screening program in community pharmacies in the Basque Country (Spain)]
Iñigo Gorostiza1, Isabel Elizondo López de Landache, Leire Braceras Izagirre
1Unidad de Investigación, Hospital de Basurto, Osakidetza, Bilbao, España. inigo.gorostizahormaetxe@osakidetza.net
Gaceta Sanitaria
|May 5, 2012
Summary
A pilot program offering rapid HIV antibody screening in Basque pharmacies found a 0.85% positivity rate. This accessible community pharmacy testing supplements existing HIV screening programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Context:
- Community pharmacies offer a new avenue for HIV screening.
- Pilot program implemented in 20 Basque pharmacies over one year.
- Focus on rapid HIV antibody testing accessibility and user acceptance.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the outcomes of a rapid HIV antibody screening test pilot program.
- To characterize the socio-demographic profile of test users.
- To assess user acceptance and reasons for utilizing pharmacy-based HIV testing.
Summary:
- 806 individuals completed valid questionnaires for the HIV screening test.
- A positivity rate of 0.85% (95% CI: 0.34-1.75) was observed.
- Users were predominantly heterosexual men, with 58.6% having no prior HIV tests. Key drivers for test use included speed, convenience, and pharmacy accessibility.
Impact:
- Rapid HIV testing in community pharmacies can effectively supplement existing HIV screening strategies.
- Demonstrates the potential for pharmacies to increase HIV testing uptake.
- Highlights the importance of accessible and convenient testing locations for public health initiatives.
