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Title
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Identifying key elements to inform HIV-testing interventions for primary care in Belgium
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Author
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Institution/Organisation
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HERMETIC Study Grp
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Abstract
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| General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in reducing the hidden HIV-epidemic, but many diagnostic opportunities are missed in primary care. This study aimed at informing the development of an HIV-testing intervention for GPs in Flanders (Belgium) using formative research with a participatory approach. Through the active involvement of an advisory board and 16 group discussions with 122 Flemish GPs, GPs' current HIV-testing practices and perceived practical relevance of 2 distinct HIV-testing strategies (i.e. provider-initiated testing of key populations and indicator condition-based testing) were explored in terms of their relevance and feasibility in routine primary care. Self-reported HIV-testing practices revealed that most tests performed were patient-initiated, pretest counseling was rarely done, and post-test counseling was offered mainly for patients with an HIV-diagnosis. GPs reported multiple barriers to provider-initiated HIV-testing, i.e. personal discomfort, fear of offending their patient, limited knowledge of benefits of early HIV-diagnosis, misconceptions about HIV-risks, lack of guidelines and time. Difficulties to identify patient's sexual orientation or ethical concerns were mentioned as barriers for target group-based HIV testing. GPs assessed the current list of 64 indicator conditions as too difficult to integrate in routine care, deeming a reduced list of GP-relevant conditions as more feasible. Combined strategies (i.e. target group- and indicator-based testing) supported by official screening recommendations were perceived as successful strategies for provider-initiated HIV-testing in primary care. This formative research delivered qualitative evidence for the development of an HIV-testing intervention for primary care settings. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Health promotion international. - Oxford, 1990, currens
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Publication
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Oxford
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Oxford University Press
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2020
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ISSN
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0957-4824
[print]
1460-2245
[online]
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DOI
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10.1093/HEAPRO/DAZ037
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Volume/pages
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35
:2
(2020)
, p. 301-311
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ISI
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000565878900012
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Pubmed ID
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31056680
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
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