BaroTest 2016

For the first time, the 2016 Health Barometer included a biological component called "BaroTest." Following the telephone interview, all adults were offered free combined screening for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV through the mailing of a home self-collection kit.

The objectives of this biological component were to assess the acceptability and feasibility of this new screening offer and to estimate the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections in the general population.

Hepatitis screening is widespread and has been increasing in France since the early 2000s. However, many people are still unaware that they are infected: approximately 150,000 for hepatitis B and 74,000 for hepatitis C. Not knowing one’s status regarding these infections therefore remains a barrier to accessing care and receiving treatment.

To improve awareness of one’s hepatitis status, the 2014 AFEF-ANRS report recommended combining screening for these infections with HIV screening. This strategy had not yet been formally implemented among the general population. It is in this context that INPES, in collaboration with INVS, developed the BaroTest, a pilot survey for the screening of hepatitis B and C and HIV infection via self-collection at home.

A kit enabling screening for these three infections was offered to all adults who responded to the 2016 Health Barometer survey. This screening involved a self-collected blood sample applied to a filter paper, to be returned to a partner laboratory. Results were provided three to four weeks after the sample was sent.

This pilot study, conducted by Ipsos during the first half of 2016, made it possible to:

  • assess the acceptability of a new screening strategy at the general population level

  • to estimate, if participation is sufficiently high, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections in the population, as well as the awareness of infection among those affected

Authorizations

This study obtained the necessary authorizations: it was registered with the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety under number RCB 2015-A01252-47. It has received approval from the Île-de-France VI Ethics Committee (Opinion No. 81-15, PDF, 740 KB), the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (Authorization No. 151308-B81, PDF, 55.7 KB) and the National Commission on Informatics and Civil Liberties (CNIL) (authorization No. 915589, PDF, 105 KB).

Protocol

The Baro Test 2016 protocol was published in English and has been translated into French.

Results

Acceptability and feasibility of home self-collection testing for HIV, HBV, and HCV infections in the general population in France in 2016: the BaroTest study. Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2019, No. 24-25, pp. 478-490
Authors: Rahib Delphine, Larsen Christine, Gautier Arnaud, Saboni Leïla, Brouard Cécile, Chevaliez Stéphane, Barin Francis, Lot Florence, Lydié Nathalie.

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C and B, and history of screening in the general population in 2016: contribution to a new screening strategy, Santé publique France Barometer - BaroTest. Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2019, No. 24-25, pp. 469-477.
Authors: Leïla Saboni, Cécile Brouard, Arnaud Gautier, Stéphane Chevaliez, Delphine Rahib, Jean-Baptiste Richard, Christine Larsen, Cécile Sommen, Josiane Pillonel, Nathalie Lydié, Florence Lot.

HCV and HBV prevalence based on home blood self-sampling and screening history in the general population in 2016: contribution to the new French screening strategy. BMC Infectious Diseases, 2019, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1–14
Brouard Cécile, Saboni Leïla, Gautier Arnaud, Chevaliez Stéphane, Rahib Delphine, Richard Jean-Baptiste, Barin Francis, Larsen Christine, Sommen Cécile, Pillonel Josiane, Delarocque-Astagneau Elisabeth, Lydié Nathalie, Lot Florence