Joint screening for HIV, HBV, and HCV by general practitioners: a feasibility study conducted in Gironde and the Nord departments in 2012

Introduction: The gap between screening recommendations for HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV) and actual practice contributes to the late diagnosis of these infections. New screening interventions by primary care providers need to be evaluated. Methods: Joint HIV/HBV/HCV screening was systematically offered by specifically trained general practitioners (GPs) in the Gironde and Nord departments to all adult patients who had never been tested. In cases where the patient had a history of screening, the offer of testing was guided by clinical signs or potential exposure to the viruses. Results: There were 66 participating GPs, 68% of whom were men, with a median age of 52 years. Testing was offered to 50% and ordered for 38% of patients; 38% of them underwent testing at the laboratory. The median number of tests ordered by GPs increased significantly between the previous week and the screening week (from 2 to 16 HIV tests and from 1 to 17 HBV/HCV tests, p < 0.0001). GPs reported an improvement in their screening practices, particularly among at-risk populations. Conclusions: GPs who are motivated and aware of screening practices can offer combined HIV/HBV/HCV screening more frequently than in their routine practice and over a short period of time. (R.A.)

Author(s): Fagard C, Champenois K, Joseph JP, Riff B, Messaadi N, Lacoste D, Canva V, Foucher J, Chene G, Yazdanpanah Y, Dabis F

Publishing year: 2014

Pages: 395-400

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2014, n° 21-22, p. 395-400

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