General Practitioners and HIV Testing: New Challenges, New Practices?

Ever since the first serological tests for HIV infection became available in 1985, screening strategies have been a central focus of policies to combat AIDS. The goal at the time was to ensure blood safety, encourage preventive behaviors tailored to an individual’s serostatus, and prevent the risk of discrimination. In the absence of effective treatment for this rapidly fatal disease, systematic screening was ruled out, and voluntary screening was prioritized through strict oversight of testing procedures, free access, and the establishment of a network of anonymous and free testing centers (CDAG). In this context, testing is viewed as a medical, social, and educational intervention aimed at enabling everyone to resolve uncertainty about their serological status and to empower individuals regarding risky behaviors through a process of information and personalized counseling. It is thus primarily conceived as an individual act with a dual diagnostic and preventive purpose. The development of effective treatments led to an intensification of testing campaigns starting in 1997, while maintaining the voluntary nature of the test as a priority. With five million HIV tests conducted each year, France has a high level of testing activity, placing it at the forefront among European countries. Despite this high level of activity, a certain delay in diagnosis persists, with an increased risk of severe morbidity or death for those receiving care late. In 2008, the proportion of patients diagnosed with a CD4 count below 200/mm³ was 29%, with significant variations across groups: 39% for heterosexual men, 29% for heterosexual women, and 18% for gay men. Furthermore, it is currently estimated that approximately 50,000 [32,000; 68,000] people are unaware of their HIV infection or are not receiving care.[chapter excerpt]

Author(s): Lert France, Lydie Nathalie, Richard Jean-Baptiste

Publishing year: 2011

Pages: 137-154

Collection: Health Barometers

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