Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Screening; Adult
Aim:
Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be conducted through an individualized approach within the Primary Health Care (PHC) setting. Knowing one's HIV status provides infected individuals with an opportunity to understand prevention and treatment options, ultimately enhancing their chances of survival and reducing the transmission of the infection. In 2019, approximately 149,417 HIV tests were administered at PHC facilities in Portugal, leading to the diagnosis of 778 new cases of HIV infection. The incorporation of rapid tests in PHC, within an opportunistic diagnostic framework, has proven to be a crucial screening tool. As per the clinical guidance standard 058/2011 of the DGS, laboratory screening for HIV infection is recommended for all individuals aged between 18 and 64 years.
Method:
A continuous quality improvement project was developed to increase the percentage of rapid tests carried out at the USF. The project was implemented between February and October 2023, and an initial and final assessment was carried out using the BI-CSP based on indicator 306 "proportion of users consulted in the last 12 months and without prior screening for HIV/AIDS who were screened in that period". During the project period, information leaflets were distributed to users and physical alerts were implemented to raise awareness among health professionals. A quality standard was defined: Insufficient-screening rate of less than 3%; Satisfactory-screening rate of (3% to 5%); Good-screening rate of more than 5%.
Results:
A total of 334 tests were carried out during the project period. The proportion of patients screened in the study period increased from 2.7% (insufficient) to 8.2% (good).
Conclusions:
HIV screening in primary healthcare plays a crucial role in early detection of the infection, enabling timely interventions and improving treatment outcomes. Additionally, it significantly contributes to HIV transmission prevention by identifying virus carriers and providing counseling on preventive measures.
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