Efficacy of an electronic reminder for HIV screening in primary healthcare based on indicator conditions in Catalonia (Spain).

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an electronic reminder in primary healthcare in patients diagnosed with an indicator condition (IC) to improve HIV screening.

Methods: We developed a prospective interventional study in 51 primary healthcare centres in Barcelona randomly assigned into one of two study groups: control and alert. Between June 2018 and May 2019, an electronic reminder appeared in the electronic medical record each time a diagnosis of an IC in patients aged 16-65 years was registered in the alert group.

HPV vaccination introduction worldwide and WHO and UNICEF estimates of national HPV immunization coverage 2010-2019.

WHO/UNICEF estimates for HPV vaccination coverage from 2010 to 2019 are analyzed against the backdrop of the 90% coverage target for HPV vaccination by 2030 set in the recently approved global strategy for cervical cancer elimination as a public health problem. As of June 2020, 107 (55%) of the 194 WHO Member States have introduced HPV vaccination. The Americas and Europe are by far the WHO regions with the most introductions, 85% and 77% of their countries having already introduced respectively.

The role of socio-demographic determinants in the geo-spatial distribution of newly diagnosed HIV infections in small areas of Catalonia (Spain).

Background: Spatial visualization of HIV surveillance data could improve the planning of programs to address the HIV epidemic. The objectives of the study were to describe the characteristics and the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed HIV infection in Catalonia and to identify factors associated with HIV infection rates.

Methods: Surveillance data from the national registry were presented in the form of descriptive and ring maps and used to study the spatial distribution of new HIV diagnoses in Catalonia (2012-2016) and associated risk factors at the small area level (ABS, acronym for "basic health area" in Catalan).

Antimicrobial resistance in isolates from foreign-born population in the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme.

Objectives: International spread has contributed substantially to the high prevalence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections worldwide. We compared the prevalence of AMR gonococcal isolates among native persons to foreign-born (reporting country different from country of birth) persons, and describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of foreign-born patients and their associations to AMR.

Methods: We analysed isolates and patient data reported to the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP) 2010-2014 (n=9529).

Linked factors to access to sexual health checkups of female sex workers in the metropolitan region of Chile.

Objectives: To describe and compare the profile of female sex workers (FSWs) that access or do not access sexual health checkups (SHC). The research question was what are the factors linked to access to SHC for FSWs in the metropolitan region (RM) of Chile?

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the RM with FSWs over the age of 18. A sample of 370 FSWs was selected by using the time-location sampling method in closed venues and at street-level locations.

Safe Reduction in CD4 Cell Count Monitoring in Stable, Virally Suppressed Patients With HIV Infection or HIV/Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection.

Background: It has been suggested that routine CD4 cell count monitoring in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-monoinfected patients with suppressed viral loads and CD4 cell counts >300 cell/μL could be reduced to annual. HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is frequent, but evidence supporting similar reductions in CD4 cell count monitoring is lacking for this population. We determined whether CD4 cell count monitoring could be reduced in monoinfected and coinfected patients by estimating the probability of maintaining CD4 cell counts ≥200 cells/µL during continuous HIV suppression.

Bio-behavioural HIV and STI surveillance among men who have sex with men in Europe: the Sialon II protocols.

Background: Globally, the HIV epidemic continues to represent a pressing public health issue in Europe and elsewhere. There is an emerging and progressively urgent need to harmonise HIV and STI behavioural surveillance among MSM across European countries through the adoption of common indicators, as well as the development of trend analysis in order to monitor the HIV-STI epidemic over time. The Sialon II project protocols have been elaborated for the purpose of implementing a large-scale bio-behavioural survey among MSM in Europe in line with a Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS) approach.

Missed opportunities for HIV testing of patients diagnosed with an indicator condition in primary care in Catalonia, Spain.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of HIV testing among patients diagnosed with an indicator condition (IC) for HIV, seen in primary care (PC) in Catalonia, and to estimate the prevalence of HIV infection among those patients.

Design: Cross-sectional and population-based study in patients aged between 16 and 65 diagnosed with an IC within PC in Catalonia.

Methods: Data used in this study were extracted from a large population-based public health database in Spain, the Information System for the Development of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP).

Twenty years trends and socio-demographic characteristics of HIV prevalence in women giving birth in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: Studies of the prevalence of HIV in sentinel populations are one of the key strategies to monitor the HIV epidemic. We describe HIV prevalence trends and identify differences across time in the sociodemographic characteristics of HIV-infected women giving birth in Catalonia.

Methods: We used dried blood specimens, residual to newborn screening, which have been collected in Catalonia every 2 months since 1994.

Evaluation of an antibody avidity index method for detecting recent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection using an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Background: Recent infection testing algorithms (RITAs) are used in public health surveillance to estimate the incidence of recently acquired HIV-1 infection.

Objectives: Our aims were (i) to evaluate the precision of the VITROS® Anti-HIV 1+2 automated antibody avidity assay for qualitative detection of antibodies to HIV 1+2 virus; (ii) to validate the accuracy of an automated guanidine-based antibody avidity assay to discriminate between recent and long standing infections using the VITROS 3600 platform; (iii) to compare this method with BED-CEIA assay; and (iv) to evaluate the occurrence of false recent misclassifications by the VITROS antibody avidity assay in patients with a CD4 count <200 cells/μL and in patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Results: The VITROS® antibody avidity assay is highly reproducible.

Human papillomavirus infection in HIV-1 infected women in Catalonia (Spain): implications for prevention of cervical cancer.

Background: High-risk human Papillomavirus infection is a necessary factor for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical cancer. In HIV-1-infected women, HPV infection is more prevalent and a higher risk of cervical cancer has been identified. We aimed to calculate the prevalence of infection by HR-HPV, determine the factors associated with this infection and abnormal cytology findings and to describe the history of cervical cancer screening in HIV-1-infected women.

Human immunodeficiency virus, sexually transmitted infections, and risk behaviors among clients of sex workers in Guatemala: are they a bridge in human immunodeficiency virus transmission?

Objectives: Clients of female sex workers (FSWs) are an important target group for human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) prevention. This study aimed to estimate their HIV and other STI prevalence, examine their risk behaviors, and evaluate their role as a bridge population in the spread of HIV/STIs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 553 clients recruited in commercial sex sites in the province of Escuintla, Guatemala.

The UALE Project: decline in the incidence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections and increase in the use of condoms among sex workers in Guatemala.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a multilevel sexually transmitted infections (STI)/HIV prevention and treatment intervention on the incidence of STIs and HIV, the use of condoms, and HIV knowledge among sex workers (SWs).

Methods: An open-enrolment cohort of 1554 SWs attending STI clinics integrated within the primary health care system of Escuintla, Guatemala. They were offered 6 monthly STI/HIV screening, condom promotion, education, and community-based interventions.

Determinants of HIV progression and assessment of the optimal time to initiate highly active antiretroviral therapy: PISCIS Cohort (Spain).

Objective: We analyze the factors related to progression to AIDS or death in HIV-infected patients from the Proyecto para la Informatización del Seguimiento Clínico epidemiológico de los pacientes con Infección por VIH/SIDA (PISCIS) Cohort and we assess the optimal time to initiate highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) taking lead time into account.

Methods: We selected naive patients who were AIDS-free and initiated HAART after January 1998. Statistical analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards models.

[Survival changes among AIDS cases in Catalonia, Spain (1981-2001)].

Background And Objective: Our goal was to assess survival changes among AIDS patients in Catalonia.

Patients And Method: We analyzed AIDS cases older than 13 years notified in the Catalonian AIDS Registry from January 1981 to December 2001. Sex, age, transmission category, AIDS-defining disease and diagnostic period were included.