Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Access of People Living with HIV to Testing Services in Greece: A Challenge for Equity in Care
Kyriakos Souliotis1,2, George Tsiakalakis1, Christina Golna2
1Faculty of Social and Education Sciences, University of Peloponnese, 20100 Corinth, Greece.
Insights
Access to essential HIV laboratory tests, including viral load and genotype resistance testing, is significantly limited in Greece, particularly for individuals diagnosed after 2015. These challenges hinder HIV care and progress toward elimination goals.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Access to laboratory testing for HIV in Greece faces persistent challenges.
- These challenges impact the continuum of HIV care and health equity.
- Limited access affects both people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and HIV clinicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify challenges in accessing laboratory testing services for HIV in Greece.
- To assess the perspectives of both PLWHIV and HIV clinicians on testing access.
- To identify disparities in access based on demographics and diagnosis year.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece between 2019-2020.
- Data were collected via online surveys from 153 PLWHIV and 26 HIV clinicians.
- Analysis focused on access to viral load, CD4 lymphocyte, and genotype resistance tests.
Main Results:
- Access to viral load testing varied by residence and diagnosis year (p=0.029, p=0.054).
- Patients diagnosed after 2015 reported poorer viral load test access (72.7% vs. 85.9%).
- Over one-third of PLWHIV perceived significant obstacles to viral load testing; 80% of clinicians reported barriers to baseline viral load testing and 96% to baseline genotype resistance tests.
Conclusions:
- Access to CD4 lymphocyte and genotype resistance tests for people diagnosed with HIV is significantly challenged in Greece.
- Challenges are particularly pronounced for individuals diagnosed after 2015.
- Addressing these access barriers is crucial for achieving UNAIDS 95-95-95 HIV elimination goals.
Abstract:
(1) Background: Access to laboratory testing services for HIV in Greece is persistently challenged and this impacts both the continuum of care and, potentially, equity in access. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study with two parts (first part: HIV-positive people/PLWHIV; second part: HIV clinicians) was conducted in Greece to quantify challenges regarding access to laboratory testing for HIV. Data were collected through online surveys, during a one-month period, between 2019 and 2020. The total sample consisted of 153 PLWHIV and 26 HIV clinicians. (3) Results: Access to viral load testing varied significantly according to place of residence (p = 0.029) and year of diagnosis (p = 0.054). Patients diagnosed after 2015 reported worse access to viral load testing (72.7% vs. 85.9%). Over one third of respondents perceived viral load tests as being not at all accessible (11.4%) or somewhat accessible, only after facing multiple systemic obstacles (24.2%). Equally, most of HIV clinicians reported barriers or no access to baseline viral load testing (80%) and baseline genotype resistance tests (96%). (4) Conclusions: Access of people diagnosed with HIV to CD4 lymphocyte tests and genotype resistance screening is significantly challenged in Greece, especially after 2015. Addressing this challenge is critical in removing access barriers and achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 HIV elimination goals.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:11Secondary Healthcare System
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...