[High time for wide application of an opting-out strategy for HIV testing].
--Despite the current active HIV test policy, the effects of the former policy are still visible, i.e. a relatively low number of individuals that have ever been tested for HIV. --The number of HIV tests and knowledge of current HIV status has increased among visitors to the STI clinic in Amsterdam. --Nevertheless, anonymous HIV surveillance among visitors to the STI clinic shows that a considerable proportion of HIV-infected individuals (24% of men who have sex with men (MSM) and 80% of heterosexuals) are unaware of the infection. --A new opting-out strategy for HIV testing in STI clinics is recommended. --The opting-out strategy may also be applicable to other medical settings, especially those that treat target populations such as MSM, heterosexuals with STI-related symptoms, and persons originating from AIDS-endemic regions. --The opting-out system was initiated in the Amsterdam STI clinic in 2007 in order to further reduce the number of undiagnosed HIV infections.
Dukers-Muijrers
N H T
NH
GGD, cluster Infectieziekten, Amsterdam. nicole.dukers@ggdzl.nl
Dukers-Muijrers
H T M
HT
Heijman
R L J
RL
van Leent
E J M
EJ
Coutinho
R A
RA
Thiesbrummel
H F J
HF
Fennema
J S A
JS
D000328:Adult; D035041:Anonymous Testing; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D047568:Unsafe Sex