Voluntary counselling and testing points (VCTs) in Poland as a complementary and accessible alternative to public healthcare facilities: A comparative analysis of epidemiological data from the VCTs and the National Institute of Public Health NIH–National Research Institute (2015–2022)
Adrian Szczepański, Karolina Klesiewicz, Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak, Kamil Drożdż, Bartosz Szetela, Aldona Olechowska-Jarząb, Monika Brzychczy-Włoch
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
Voluntary counselling and testing points (VCTs) offer anonymous and free HIV tests in Poland. They also play an essential role in educational initiatives focused on the prevention and diagnosis of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, no comprehensive data is available that summarizes the results of the work carried out by these VCTs. Therefore, our aim was to conduct a comparative analysis of epidemiological data obtained from VCTs and data reported by the epidemiological surveillance undertaken by the National Institute of Public Health NIH–National Research Institute (NIPH NIH–NRI) covering the period from 2015 to 2022.
Methods
This retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 258 071 people attending VCTs in Poland in 2015–2022.
Results
On average, 32 259 individuals underwent testing each year, with a notable increase in the number of people being tested in November. The average positivity rate was 1.39% (3576/258 071). The Masovian voivodeship conducted the most tests and had the highest number of positive results. The comparative analysis of the frequency of detecting positive results in VCTs and those reported in NIPH NIH–NRI data revealed that, on average, 31.49% (3576/11 356) of positive results in Poland between 2015 and 2022 were identified through tests conducted at VCTs.
Conclusion
The positive results identified in VCTs constituted approximately one-third of all results reported by the National Institute of Public Health NIH–National Research Institute, highlighting the importance of VCTs. Moreover, the high availability of testing in the Masovian voivodeship resulted in better detection of HIV. The educational actions performed during European Testing Week increased the number of tests performed in November.
期刊介绍：
HIV Medicine aims to provide an alternative outlet for publication of international research papers in the field of HIV Medicine, embracing clinical, pharmocological, epidemiological, ethical, preclinical and in vitro studies. In addition, the journal will commission reviews and other feature articles. It will focus on evidence-based medicine as the mainstay of successful management of HIV and AIDS. The journal is specifically aimed at researchers and clinicians with responsibility for treating HIV seropositive patients.
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