Milo de Moraes , Anna Maria Żakowicz · Milo de Moraes1, Anna Maria Żakowicz2 1. AIDS Healthcare...
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HIV rapid testing at AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam COVID19 effect on the services Milo de Moraes 1 , Anna Maria Żakowicz 2 1. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Checkpoint Amsterdam, the Netherlands 2. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Europe, the Netherlands Background By the end of 2018, an estimated 1,900 people are thought to be unaware of their HIV status in the Netherlands. A significant percentage of people who initiated ART are known to be born outside the Netherlands (40%). This group faces more barriers reaching HIV services and is more likely to present late for HIV-care. AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam provides community-based, free, ‘walk-in’, rapid HIV testing on-site and off-site (pop-up locations) to overcome barriers to test and reach high-risk groups including MSM and migrant populations. Due to COVID-19 AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam operations were suspended on 26 th March 2020 and reopened with stronger safety measures on 11 th May 2020. Methods We studied a dynamic cohort of people who used our facility from January 1 st till September 21 st of 2020 with a specific focus on data between May 11 th till September 21 st when contact-based services across the Netherlands were allowed again. AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam introduced additional safety measures and implemented an appointment-based system. After May 11 th WhatsApp for scheduling appointments and performing pre-test counseling and screening was introduced. Table. 1 AHF CP Amsterdam’s testing numbers during the COVID-19 epidemic. AHF Europe Keizersgracht 534 1017 EK Amsterdam, the Netherlands Corresponding author : Anna Maria Żakowicz [email protected] May Jun Jul Aug Sep* total proportion Origin Dutch Non-Dutch 22 36 32 72 41 70 30 86 29 65 154 329 31,1% 68,1% Total 58 104 111 116 94 483 100% Table 2. Characteristics of sexual orientation and origin. Total population (n=482) Reactive (Positivity rate) Sexual Orientation MSM Non-MSM Transgender 249 (52%) 232 (54,1%) 4 (1%) 2 (0,8%) 0 (0%) 1 (25%) Total Non-Dutch population (n=329) Reactive (Positivity rate) Origin + Sexual orientation Non-Dutch + MSM Non-Dutch + Transgender 158 (48%) 4 (1%) 2 (1,3%) 1 (25%) Results Between January and September 21 st , 1190 people were tested for HIV with a total of 7 reactive cases (0.6% positivity rate). 843 (71%) people who tested were of non-Dutch origin. After May 2020, AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam performed approximately 45% of tests carried on-site in comparison to the same time in 2019. Between May 11 th and September 21 st ,a total of 482 people tested for HIV. Among this group 3 reactive cases were detected (positivity rate 0.6%). Conclusion AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam was able to reintroduce its services in a safe manner to the population. The introduction of low-threshold appointment scheduling and pre-test consultation through WhatsApp successfully supported the continuation of the services fulfilling the goal to reach key affected communities. There is a need to promote community- level services to continue HIV testing in order to reach the goal of zero new HIV infections in the Netherlands. Of the total number of people tested, 249 (52%) were MSM and 329 (68%) indicated being of non-Dutch origin. Out of the non- Dutch group 158 (48%) were MSM and 4 (1%) transgender. The 3 reactive cases belonged to the non-Dutch group, 2 were MSM and 1 transgender. Positivity rate among the non-Dutch group was 0.9%. Two clients were successfully linked to care, the third opted for self-linkage.
Transcript of Milo de Moraes , Anna Maria Żakowicz · Milo de Moraes1, Anna Maria Żakowicz2 1. AIDS Healthcare...
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HIV rapid testing at AHF Checkpoint AmsterdamCOVID19 effect on the services
Milo de Moraes1, Anna Maria Żakowicz21. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Checkpoint Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Europe, the Netherlands
BackgroundBy the end of 2018, an estimated 1,900 people are thought tobe unaware of their HIV status in the Netherlands. Asignificant percentage of people who initiated ART are knownto be born outside the Netherlands (40%). This group facesmore barriers reaching HIV services and is more likely topresent late for HIV-care. AHF Checkpoint Amsterdamprovides community-based, free, ‘walk-in’, rapid HIV testingon-site and off-site (pop-up locations) to overcome barriers totest and reach high-risk groups including MSM and migrantpopulations. Due to COVID-19 AHF Checkpoint Amsterdamoperations were suspended on 26th March 2020 andreopened with stronger safety measures on 11th May 2020.
MethodsWe studied a dynamic cohort of people who used our facilityfrom January 1st till September 21st of 2020 with a specificfocus on data between May 11th till September 21st whencontact-based services across the Netherlands were allowedagain. AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam introduced additionalsafety measures and implemented an appointment-basedsystem. After May 11th WhatsApp for schedulingappointments and performing pre-test counseling andscreening was introduced.
Table. 1 AHF CP Amsterdam’s testing numbers during the COVID-19 epidemic.
AHF EuropeKeizersgracht 534 1017 EK
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Corresponding author : Anna Maria Ż[email protected]
May Jun Jul Aug Sep* total proportionOrigin
DutchNon-Dutch
2236
3272
4170
3086
2965
154329
31,1%68,1%
Total 58 104 111 116 94 483 100%
Table 2. Characteristics of sexual orientation and origin.
Total population(n=482)
Reactive (Positivity rate)
Sexual OrientationMSMNon-MSMTransgender
249 (52%)232 (54,1%)
4 (1%)
2 (0,8%)0 (0%)
1 (25%)Total Non-Dutch
population(n=329)
Reactive (Positivity rate)
Origin + Sexual orientationNon-Dutch + MSMNon-Dutch + Transgender
158 (48%)4 (1%)
2 (1,3%)1 (25%)
ResultsBetween January and September 21st, 1190 people weretested for HIV with a total of 7 reactive cases (0.6% positivityrate). 843 (71%) people who tested were of non-Dutch origin.After May 2020, AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam performedapproximately 45% of tests carried on-site in comparison tothe same time in 2019. Between May 11th and September21st, a total of 482 people tested for HIV. Among this group 3reactive cases were detected (positivity rate 0.6%).
ConclusionAHF Checkpoint Amsterdam was able to reintroduce itsservices in a safe manner to the population. The introductionof low-threshold appointment scheduling and pre-testconsultation through WhatsApp successfully supported thecontinuation of the services fulfilling the goal to reach keyaffected communities. There is a need to promote community-level services to continue HIV testing in order to reach the goalof zero new HIV infections in the Netherlands.
Of the total number of people tested, 249 (52%) were MSM and329 (68%) indicated being of non-Dutch origin. Out of the non-Dutch group 158 (48%) were MSM and 4 (1%) transgender. The3 reactive cases belonged to the non-Dutch group, 2 were MSMand 1 transgender. Positivity rate among the non-Dutch groupwas 0.9%. Two clients were successfully linked to care, the thirdopted for self-linkage.
