Int J Environ Res Public Health
November 2024
This study aims to address the gap in understanding condom use (CU) behavior in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking community in Belgium) by applying a mixed methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data. Utilizing a large-scale survey of over 14,000 participants and 11 in-depth interviews, the study explores key factors influencing CU, including (amongst others) relationship status, attitudes toward condoms, and STI testing. Quantitative findings highlight significant predictors such as the type of partner (casual vs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: To gain insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures on the HIV epidemic and services, this study aims to describe HIV trends in 2020 and compare them with previous years.
Methods: Belgian national HIV surveillance data 2017-2020 were analysed for trends in HIV testing, HIV diagnoses, VL measurements, ART uptake and PrEP purchase. Descriptive statistics from 2020 are compared to annual averages from 2017 to 2019 (proportional difference, %).
This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Background and aim Current health-care delivery requires increasingly proactive and inter-professional work. Therefore, collecting patient information and knowledge management is of paramount importance. General practitioners (GPs) are well placed to lead these evolving models of care delivery.
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