“Flash Test” Week in Lyon and Rhône Valley: An Expanding Access to Rapid Testing,First Step of the Cascade and Prevention

P09.14 LB

Background: The French Minister of Health organized an experimental week of rapid testing in the 4 French regions with high HIV prevalence. In Rhône-Alpes, the action took place in September 2013.

Methods: Expanding access to rapid testing for the most exposed populations to HIV, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), migrants and drugs users (DU) with:

• innovating actions in new places next to the targeted populations;

• new partnerships between hospitals, Voluntary Testing Centers (VTC), community based offers and associations;

• communication performed by the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education: 400 posters, 1000 flyers in gay venues and African shops and commercials in gay and African press and on radios;

• local coordination by the Regional Committee for HIV (COREVIH);

• A questionnaire investigating HIV testing history and sexual behaviors including inconsistent condom use. This questionnaire was analyzed by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance in June 2014.

Results: 49 structures were involved: hospitals, VTC, associations and 71 partnerships were signed.38 new people were trained for rapid testing.

1 049 rapid tests were performed: 60.3% were male, 39.5% female and 0.2% trans. 60.5% were between 18 and 30 year-old.

74.5% were born in France and 20.3% in a foreign country:11.8% in sub-Saharan Africa,4.5% in North Africa.19.6% were MSM, 3.5% DU.

55.8% reported non-condom use, 6.5% sex for money, 14% drug use in the past 5 years.

64.3% have had an HIV test before and 35.5% in the past 2 years. 27.2% of people performed a HIV test for the first time.

In total, 4 tests were positive (0.4%):3 migrants and 1 MSM, and the patients were referred to HIV units due to the links developed before this week.

Conclusions: This week is an original initiative to enhance HIV prevention and screening in high-risk populations. An important proportion of persons were HIV tested for the first time. Finally, it allows new partnerships between community-based associations and referral centers.