Background

The anonymous and free HIV screening clinics (CDAG), established in 1988 in every department, have been authorized to conduct screening for viral hepatitis C (anti-HCV antibodies) and B (HBsAg) since 1998 and 2000, respectively. They have been reporting their screening activity data for anti-HCV antibodies to the InVS since 2000 and for HBs antigen since 2001.

Objective

The HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody screening activity data from the CDAGs make it possible to:

• monitor trends in screening activity at the CDAGs,

• to study the characteristics of individuals testing positive for anti-HCV antibodies and HBsAg and to track changes over time.

They thus complement screening data from other surveillance systems: the RenaVHC/B laboratory network, the 2010 LaboHep national survey on hepatitis B and C screening activity, and data on reimbursement by the National Health Insurance for HCV and HBV screening tests.

Method

The CDAGs are located throughout the country. They welcome anyone seeking information or screening for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV). They report annually to the InVS the number of positive and negative HCV antibody and HBsAg tests by sex and age group.