Rapid HIV tests: an order expanding the use of
The signing of
the decree allowing expanded use of rapid tests for HIV infection, including
general practitioners and associations, is imminent, said the health minister,
Roselyne Bachelot, on the occasion of the publication Plan against HIV and
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 2010-14 presented at a press conference
in Paris.
According to the
decree, these tests are allowed after an accidental exposure to blood or
sexual, before an evocative acutely ill AIDS stage, during childbirth (when the
woman of unknown HIV status or has been exposed to risk since the last
screening) or in order to administer the faster preventive treatment of mother
to child transmission.
Beyond these
four emergency situations, it was initially planned that the decree opens the
use of rapid tests for patient groups, but the project was delayed for legal
reasons.
According
Roselyne Bachelot, this order will open the use of rapid tests in community
screening, anonymous testing and free (CDAG) and information centers, screening
and diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (CIDDISTs) and that the whole
system of care, including GPs. Those who wish will be able to apply for rapid
HIV tests, which will be delivered free of charge by health insurance.
Considered as
"diagnostic approach", these tests do not give a definitive result.
Any positive test should therefore be confirmed by a standard test, the only
one who can actually certify HIV infection.
These tests are
therefore not recommended for the general population, that is to say that
physicians should primarily be reserved for specific emergency situations or people
with risk factors (homosexuals, migrants, etc..). "With the rapid tests,
there is a risk of false-positive. In a situation of low prevalence [that of
the general population], it is better to avoid it," ruled the entourage of
the Minister.
In the context
of HIV / STI Plan, Roselyne Bachelot noted that it expected the launch of
"at least 10 community screening centers" this year (2011), after a
call for tenders.
Aimed at the
general population, another measure flagship plan aims to encourage doctors to
prescribe the test to anyone, regardless of risk factors, at least once in his
life. This is to reduce the number of people unaware of their HIV status,
estimated at about 50,000. The National Institute for Prevention and Health
Education (INPE), for its part, launched a campaign to both treating physicians
to the general population.
Third largely
evoked by the Minister, the plan includes the creation of sexual health
centers, offering comprehensive care (HIV and STI testing, contraception,
etc..).
According to the Ministry, this five-year plan
amounted to 954 million euros (87 million euros, 10% more than the previous
plan 2005-08), divided up to 554 million euros for the state and € 400 million
for health insurance. It does not include the cost of care. The axis
"prevention" is worth € 216 million, the axis "screening"
of 337 million euros, the axis "medical care" (excluding care
expenses) of EUR 123 million axis "social care and the fight against
discrimination" of 69 million euros and the axis "research and
observation" of 208 million eurosSHARE THIS POST
