HIV testing week 2015: Lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam

M. Bartelsman; HIV Transmission Elimination AMsterdam (H-TEAM) Initiative; I. K. Joore; J. E. van Bergen; A. A. Hogewoning; F. R. Zuure; M. G. van Veen; A. Oomen; J. M. Prins; P. J. Smit; M. van Agtmael; D. Bezemer; W. L. Blok; C. A.B. Boucher; D. Burger; M. de Bruin; M. Dijkstra; A. Goorhuis; M. Groot; R. A. Gruters; J. J. van der Helm; I. K. Joore; F. P. Kroon; T. Mahmoudi; J. T. van der Meer; J. Mulder; H. Nobel; E. Peters; M. S. van Rooijen; M. S. van Rooijen; M. G. van Veen; J. Veenstra; A. Verbon; D. Verhagen; G. Visser; H. J. de Vries; M. van Vugt; F. W. Wit; M. C. van Zelm

doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0

HIV testing week 2015: Lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam

M. Bartelsman^*, HIV Transmission Elimination AMsterdam (H-TEAM) Initiative, I. K. Joore, J. E. van Bergen, A. A. Hogewoning, F. R. Zuure, M. G. van Veen, A. Oomen, J. M. Prins, P. J. Smit, M. van Agtmael, D. Bezemer, W. L. Blok, C. A.B. Boucher, D. Burger, M. de Bruin, M. Dijkstra, A. Goorhuis, M. Groot, R. A. GrutersJ. J. van der Helm, I. K. Joore, F. P. Kroon, T. Mahmoudi, J. T. van der Meer, J. Mulder, H. Nobel, E. Peters, M. S. van Rooijen, M. S. van Rooijen, M. G. van Veen, J. Veenstra, A. Verbon, D. Verhagen, G. Visser, H. J. de Vries, M. van Vugt, F. W. Wit, M. C. van Zelm

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

5 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background:

Evaluation of the HIV Testing Week (HTW) 2015 in Amsterdam: the number of (positive) tested persons, characteristics and testing history of the tested population, the differences in attendance per location and the healthcare workers' experiences and opinions concerning the HTW.

Methods:

The HTW took place from 28 November till 4 December 2015. Anonymous HIV rapid testing (INSTI™ HIV1/HIV2 Ab test or Determine™ HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab test) was offered free of charge at four hospitals, 12 general practitioner (GP) clinics, a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, a laboratory, sites of a community-based organisation, and at outreach locations. Home-based testing (OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test) was offered online. The focus was to motivate two groups to test: men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-Western migrants. Questionnaires regarding participant's characteristics and HIV testing history were collected. Also healthcare workers were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating the HTW.

Results:

In total, 1231 participants were tested. With three positive HIV tests, the detection rate was 0.3% (95%CI 0.26-0.37). Of all participants, 24.7% (304/1231) were MSM. Respectively, 22.3% (275/1231) and 15.7% (193/1231) were first- and second-generation migrants from a non-Western country. Altogether, 56.7% (698/1231) of participants belonged to one of the targeted risk groups. For 32.7% (402/1231) of participants, it was the first time they received testing, and 35.1% (432/1231) were tested more than 1 year ago. Among MSM 13.2% were tested for the first time, among first- and second-generation non-Western migrants this percentage was significantly higher at 27.2% and 33.5% respectively (p < 0.01). The number of tested participants per location varied widely, especially between GP clinics (range 3-63). Healthcare workers were positive about the HTW: about half (46.2%) stated they would more readily offer an HIV test following their experience with the HTW.

Conclusions:

This was the first time the Amsterdam HTW was organised on such a large scale. The majority of the tested population belonged to one of the targeted risk groups and received testing either for the first time or for the first time in over a year. It is important to further build upon the experiences of the HTW and offer free of charge low-threshold HIV testing more structurally. An evaluation of cost-effectiveness is also warranted for future editions of the HTW.

Original language	English
Article number	529
Journal	BMC Infectious Diseases
Volume	17
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0
Publication status	Published - 1 Aug 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The HTW-project and this study was funded by the H-TEAM. This study was also supported by a grant (reference: 2,012,074) from the AIDS Fonds, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Time2test-study was funded by ZonMW, The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (grant no. 200320018).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Author(s).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0Licence: CC BY

HIV testing week 2015 lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in AmsterdamFinal published version, 411 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Bartelsman, M., HIV Transmission Elimination AMsterdam (H-TEAM) Initiative, Joore, I. K., van Bergen, J. E., Hogewoning, A. A., Zuure, F. R., van Veen, M. G., Oomen, A., Prins, J. M., Smit, P. J., van Agtmael, M., Bezemer, D., Blok, W. L., Boucher, C. A. B., Burger, D., de Bruin, M., Dijkstra, M., Goorhuis, A., Groot, M., ... van Zelm, M. C. (2017). HIV testing week 2015: Lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam. BMC Infectious Diseases, 17(1), Article 529. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0

@article{54ca90445df444a2ac60a49e01d2a92a,

title = "HIV testing week 2015: Lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam",

abstract = "Background: Evaluation of the HIV Testing Week (HTW) 2015 in Amsterdam: the number of (positive) tested persons, characteristics and testing history of the tested population, the differences in attendance per location and the healthcare workers' experiences and opinions concerning the HTW. Methods: The HTW took place from 28 November till 4 December 2015. Anonymous HIV rapid testing (INSTI{\texttrademark} HIV1/HIV2 Ab test or Determine{\texttrademark} HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab test) was offered free of charge at four hospitals, 12 general practitioner (GP) clinics, a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, a laboratory, sites of a community-based organisation, and at outreach locations. Home-based testing (OraQuick{\textregistered} In-Home HIV Test) was offered online. The focus was to motivate two groups to test: men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-Western migrants. Questionnaires regarding participant's characteristics and HIV testing history were collected. Also healthcare workers were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating the HTW. Results: In total, 1231 participants were tested. With three positive HIV tests, the detection rate was 0.3% (95%CI 0.26-0.37). Of all participants, 24.7% (304/1231) were MSM. Respectively, 22.3% (275/1231) and 15.7% (193/1231) were first- and second-generation migrants from a non-Western country. Altogether, 56.7% (698/1231) of participants belonged to one of the targeted risk groups. For 32.7% (402/1231) of participants, it was the first time they received testing, and 35.1% (432/1231) were tested more than 1 year ago. Among MSM 13.2% were tested for the first time, among first- and second-generation non-Western migrants this percentage was significantly higher at 27.2% and 33.5% respectively (p < 0.01). The number of tested participants per location varied widely, especially between GP clinics (range 3-63). Healthcare workers were positive about the HTW: about half (46.2%) stated they would more readily offer an HIV test following their experience with the HTW. Conclusions: This was the first time the Amsterdam HTW was organised on such a large scale. The majority of the tested population belonged to one of the targeted risk groups and received testing either for the first time or for the first time in over a year. It is important to further build upon the experiences of the HTW and offer free of charge low-threshold HIV testing more structurally. An evaluation of cost-effectiveness is also warranted for future editions of the HTW.",

author = "M. Bartelsman and {HIV Transmission Elimination AMsterdam (H-TEAM) Initiative} and Joore, {I. K.} and {van Bergen}, {J. E.} and Hogewoning, {A. A.} and Zuure, {F. R.} and {van Veen}, {M. G.} and {de Bree}, {G. J.} and E. Hoornenborg and U. Davidovich and Geerlings, {S. E.} and A. Oomen and Prins, {J. M.} and {van Sighem}, A. and Smit, {P. J.} and W. Zuilhof and Achterbergh, {R. C.A.} and F. Deug and {van Agtmael}, M. and J. Ananworanich and {Van de Beek}, D. and {van den Berk}, {G. E.L.} and B. Berkhout and D. Bezemer and Blok, {W. L.} and Boucher, {C. A.B.} and D. Burger and {de Bruin}, M. and M. Dijkstra and A. Goorhuis and M. Groot and Gruters, {R. A.} and {van der Helm}, {J. J.} and Joore, {I. K.} and Kroon, {F. P.} and T. Mahmoudi and {van der Meer}, {J. T.} and J. Mulder and H. Nobel and E. Peters and {van Rooijen}, {M. S.} and {van Rooijen}, {M. S.} and {van Veen}, {M. G.} and J. Veenstra and A. Verbon and D. Verhagen and G. Visser and {de Vries}, {H. J.} and {van Vugt}, M. and Wit, {F. W.} and {van Zelm}, {M. C.}",

note = "Funding Information: The HTW-project and this study was funded by the H-TEAM. This study was also supported by a grant (reference: 2,012,074) from the AIDS Fonds, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Time2test-study was funded by ZonMW, The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (grant no. 200320018). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2017 The Author(s).",

year = "2017",

month = aug,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0",

language = "English",

volume = "17",

journal = "BMC Infectious Diseases",

issn = "1471-2334",

publisher = "BioMed Central Ltd.",

number = "1",

}

Bartelsman, M, HIV Transmission Elimination AMsterdam (H-TEAM) Initiative, Joore, IK, van Bergen, JE, Hogewoning, AA, Zuure, FR, van Veen, MG, Oomen, A, Prins, JM, Smit, PJ, van Agtmael, M, Bezemer, D, Blok, WL, Boucher, CAB, Burger, D, de Bruin, M, Dijkstra, M, Goorhuis, A, Groot, M, Gruters, RA, van der Helm, JJ, Joore, IK, Kroon, FP, Mahmoudi, T, van der Meer, JT, Mulder, J, Nobel, H, Peters, E, van Rooijen, MS , van Rooijen, MS, van Veen, MG, Veenstra, J, Verbon, A, Verhagen, D, Visser, G, de Vries, HJ, van Vugt, M, Wit, FW & van Zelm, MC 2017, 'HIV testing week 2015: Lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam', BMC Infectious Diseases, vol. 17, no. 1, 529. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0

TY - JOUR

T1 - HIV testing week 2015

T2 - Lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam

AU - Bartelsman, M.

AU - HIV Transmission Elimination AMsterdam (H-TEAM) Initiative

AU - Joore, I. K.

AU - van Bergen, J. E.

AU - Hogewoning, A. A.

AU - Zuure, F. R.

AU - van Veen, M. G.

AU - de Bree, G. J.

AU - Hoornenborg, E.

AU - Davidovich, U.

AU - Geerlings, S. E.

AU - Oomen, A.

AU - Prins, J. M.

AU - van Sighem, A.

AU - Smit, P. J.

AU - Zuilhof, W.

AU - Achterbergh, R. C.A.

AU - Deug, F.

AU - van Agtmael, M.

AU - Ananworanich, J.

AU - Van de Beek, D.

AU - van den Berk, G. E.L.

AU - Berkhout, B.

AU - Bezemer, D.

AU - Blok, W. L.

AU - Boucher, C. A.B.

AU - Burger, D.

AU - de Bruin, M.

AU - Dijkstra, M.

AU - Goorhuis, A.

AU - Groot, M.

AU - Gruters, R. A.

AU - van der Helm, J. J.

AU - Joore, I. K.

AU - Kroon, F. P.

AU - Mahmoudi, T.

AU - van der Meer, J. T.

AU - Mulder, J.

AU - Nobel, H.

AU - Peters, E.

AU - van Rooijen, M. S.

AU - van Veen, M. G.

AU - Veenstra, J.

AU - Verbon, A.

AU - Verhagen, D.

AU - Visser, G.

AU - de Vries, H. J.

AU - van Vugt, M.

AU - Wit, F. W.

AU - van Zelm, M. C.

N1 - Funding Information: The HTW-project and this study was funded by the H-TEAM. This study was also supported by a grant (reference: 2,012,074) from the AIDS Fonds, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Time2test-study was funded by ZonMW, The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (grant no. 200320018). Publisher Copyright: © 2017 The Author(s).

PY - 2017/8/1

Y1 - 2017/8/1

N2 - Background: Evaluation of the HIV Testing Week (HTW) 2015 in Amsterdam: the number of (positive) tested persons, characteristics and testing history of the tested population, the differences in attendance per location and the healthcare workers' experiences and opinions concerning the HTW. Methods: The HTW took place from 28 November till 4 December 2015. Anonymous HIV rapid testing (INSTI™ HIV1/HIV2 Ab test or Determine™ HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab test) was offered free of charge at four hospitals, 12 general practitioner (GP) clinics, a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, a laboratory, sites of a community-based organisation, and at outreach locations. Home-based testing (OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test) was offered online. The focus was to motivate two groups to test: men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-Western migrants. Questionnaires regarding participant's characteristics and HIV testing history were collected. Also healthcare workers were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating the HTW. Results: In total, 1231 participants were tested. With three positive HIV tests, the detection rate was 0.3% (95%CI 0.26-0.37). Of all participants, 24.7% (304/1231) were MSM. Respectively, 22.3% (275/1231) and 15.7% (193/1231) were first- and second-generation migrants from a non-Western country. Altogether, 56.7% (698/1231) of participants belonged to one of the targeted risk groups. For 32.7% (402/1231) of participants, it was the first time they received testing, and 35.1% (432/1231) were tested more than 1 year ago. Among MSM 13.2% were tested for the first time, among first- and second-generation non-Western migrants this percentage was significantly higher at 27.2% and 33.5% respectively (p < 0.01). The number of tested participants per location varied widely, especially between GP clinics (range 3-63). Healthcare workers were positive about the HTW: about half (46.2%) stated they would more readily offer an HIV test following their experience with the HTW. Conclusions: This was the first time the Amsterdam HTW was organised on such a large scale. The majority of the tested population belonged to one of the targeted risk groups and received testing either for the first time or for the first time in over a year. It is important to further build upon the experiences of the HTW and offer free of charge low-threshold HIV testing more structurally. An evaluation of cost-effectiveness is also warranted for future editions of the HTW.

AB - Background: Evaluation of the HIV Testing Week (HTW) 2015 in Amsterdam: the number of (positive) tested persons, characteristics and testing history of the tested population, the differences in attendance per location and the healthcare workers' experiences and opinions concerning the HTW. Methods: The HTW took place from 28 November till 4 December 2015. Anonymous HIV rapid testing (INSTI™ HIV1/HIV2 Ab test or Determine™ HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab test) was offered free of charge at four hospitals, 12 general practitioner (GP) clinics, a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, a laboratory, sites of a community-based organisation, and at outreach locations. Home-based testing (OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test) was offered online. The focus was to motivate two groups to test: men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-Western migrants. Questionnaires regarding participant's characteristics and HIV testing history were collected. Also healthcare workers were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating the HTW. Results: In total, 1231 participants were tested. With three positive HIV tests, the detection rate was 0.3% (95%CI 0.26-0.37). Of all participants, 24.7% (304/1231) were MSM. Respectively, 22.3% (275/1231) and 15.7% (193/1231) were first- and second-generation migrants from a non-Western country. Altogether, 56.7% (698/1231) of participants belonged to one of the targeted risk groups. For 32.7% (402/1231) of participants, it was the first time they received testing, and 35.1% (432/1231) were tested more than 1 year ago. Among MSM 13.2% were tested for the first time, among first- and second-generation non-Western migrants this percentage was significantly higher at 27.2% and 33.5% respectively (p < 0.01). The number of tested participants per location varied widely, especially between GP clinics (range 3-63). Healthcare workers were positive about the HTW: about half (46.2%) stated they would more readily offer an HIV test following their experience with the HTW. Conclusions: This was the first time the Amsterdam HTW was organised on such a large scale. The majority of the tested population belonged to one of the targeted risk groups and received testing either for the first time or for the first time in over a year. It is important to further build upon the experiences of the HTW and offer free of charge low-threshold HIV testing more structurally. An evaluation of cost-effectiveness is also warranted for future editions of the HTW.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85026651826&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0

DO - 10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0

M3 - Article

C2 - 28764661

AN - SCOPUS:85026651826

SN - 1471-2334

VL - 17

JO - BMC Infectious Diseases

JF - BMC Infectious Diseases

IS - 1

M1 - 529

ER -

HIV testing week 2015: Lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this