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Attitudes to rapid HIV testing among Spanish General Practitioners
C Agustí1, L Fernàndez-López, J Mascort
1Centre for Epidemiological Studies on HIV/STI in Catalonia (CEEISCAT-ICO), Badalona; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Barcelona.
HIV Medicine
|September 17, 2013
Summary
General practitioners in Spain show high acceptance for rapid HIV testing. Implementation requires improved training and adapted pre-test information to overcome identified barriers like time constraints.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics
- Primary Care Medicine
Background:
- Rapid HIV testing offers potential for earlier diagnosis and treatment initiation.
- Integration into primary care settings could expand access to HIV testing services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the acceptability of rapid HIV testing among Spanish general practitioners (GPs).
- To identify barriers and needs for implementing rapid HIV testing in primary care.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to members of major Spanish family and community medicine societies.
- Data were collected from June to October 2010.
Main Results:
- 1308 GPs responded; 70.4% were aware of rapid HIV tests but lacked knowledge of their use.
- Nearly 80% of GPs were willing to offer rapid testing, with 74.7% confident in results.
- Key barriers included lack of time, need for training in test use (56.4%), and pre- and post-test counselling (59.2%).
Conclusions:
- GPs demonstrate significant willingness to adopt rapid HIV testing.
- Successful implementation hinges on enhanced training for test utilization and adapted pre-test counselling strategies.