Increasing integrated testing in community settings through interventions for change, including the Spring European...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Prevention
• Community Health

Background:

• Integrated testing for multiple infections maximizes detection rates in targeted populations.
• Community-based settings are crucial for identifying new infections and reaching key populations.
• The EU-funded Joint Action INTEGRATE initiative explored expanded integrated testing for HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the feasibility and impact of integrated testing for HIV, HCV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.
• To assess the effectiveness of targeted interventions in community settings for disease detection.
• To evaluate the role of European collaboration in expanding integrated testing initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Four community-based pilots in Croatia, Italy, and Poland implemented integrated testing strategies.
• Pilots targeted specific key populations, including men who have sex with men, migrants, and people who inject drugs.
• The Spring European Testing Week promoted integrated testing awareness and opportunities across Europe.

Main Results:

• The Croatian pilot identified high prevalence rates for syphilis (2.1%), chlamydia (12.4%), and gonorrhoea (6.7%).
• Italian pilots revealed low rates of prior HIV/HCV testing among migrants and a 6.2% HCV prevalence.
• European Testing Week showed increased integrated testing uptake from 50% to 71% between 2018 and 2019.

Conclusions:

• Integrated testing is feasible and effective in community settings for reaching key populations and reducing missed testing opportunities.
• European collaboration and funding were essential for the pilot projects' success.
• Sustained expansion requires local government investment in legislative, financial, and structural support for integrated community testing.