Profile of Persons Recently Infected with HIV-1 in Belgium: New Insights to Tailor Prevention Efforts.

Autor: Vanden Bulcke C; Department of General Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. charlotte.vandenbulcke@uzgent.be., Deblonde J; Sciensano, Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Brussels, Belgium., Necsoi C; Univ Libre Bruxelles, CHU St Pierre, Serv Malad Infect, Brussels, Belgium., Van Praet J; Department Nephrol & Infect Dis, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge AV, Brugge, Belgium., Van Cutsem E; Department Microbiol, Vrije Univ Brussel, Univ Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium., Mertens L; Department Clin Sci, HIV & STD Unit, Inst Trop Med, Med Serv, Antwerp, Belgium., Vanroye F; Department Clin Sci, Aids Reference Lab, Clin Reference Lab, Inst Trop Med, Antwerp, Belgium., Stoffels K; Aids Reference Lab, Ctr Hosp Univ St Pierre, Brussels, Belgium., Debaisieux L; Aids Reference Lab, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), CUB Hôpital Erasme, Ixelles, Belgium., Mortier V; Department Diagnost Sci, Aids Reference Lab, Univ Ghent, Ghent, Belgium., Callens S; Department of General Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium., Verhofstede C; Department Diagnost Sci, Aids Reference Lab, Univ Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: AIDS and behavior [AIDS Behav] 2024 Dec; Vol. 28 (12), pp. 4167-4178. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 17.
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04488-8
Abstrakt: Despite wide availability of prevention and treatment services, including the ongoing roll-out of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the HIV epidemic is not under control in Belgium. Hence, there is a recognized need to improve case finding and early diagnosis to curb the further spread of HIV more effectively. The objective of the present study was to improve insight into the profiles of persons recently infected with HIV-1 and on their prevention trajectory. Between May 2018 and December 2022, we selected persons diagnosed in Belgium within three months of the presumed infection date. We then analyzed information collected using a questionnaire covering topics on HIV testing, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), PrEP use, sexual behavior, partner notification and substance use. The data obtained were analyzed alongside information derived from phylogenetic cluster analysis of the viral source of infection. A total of 93 persons with a recent HIV-1 infection completed the questionnaire, the majority (74%) being MSM, 14% were heterosexual women and 12% were heterosexual men. Nearly one-third of participants engaged in sexual activity with an average of 2 to 5 casual partners around the presumed time of infection. A significant percentage reported frequent substance use during sexual activity (65%), being previously diagnosed with STI (65%) and using condoms infrequently (44%). 63% reported a testing frequency of at least one HIV test per year before being diagnosed and 46% notified their previous sex partner(s) after being diagnosed. Over 20% of respondents (including 11 MSM, 4 heterosexual men and 5 heterosexual women) reported exclusive sexual activity with their steady partner. Eight participants (9%, all MSM, 75% born outside of Belgium) reported PrEP use in the past. No significant differences in behavioral characteristics were found between persons who were part of a local transmission cluster (48%) and persons that were not part of a cluster (47%). The study results revealed that the majority of persons diagnosed early with HIV-1 infection in Belgium exhibited characteristics corresponding to a high-at-risk population and were aware of this risk, as evidenced by a high testing frequency. However, partner notification rates were low and use and awareness of PrEP limited. A notable group of persons not corresponding to the high-risk profiles was also identified. This information may help to expose missed opportunities for prevention and contribute to enhancing the implementation of future prevention measures.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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