Optimizando el acceso oportuno al test de ELISA para el diagnóstico del VIH: Recomendaciones desde los usuarios y profesionales de la Atención Primaria de Salud / Recommendations of health care users and professionals to achieve a timely access to HIV diagnosis

Background: Early HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) diagnosis optimizes therapies aimed at reducing viral load, increasing survival, lowering health costs and reducing the number of people infected with the virus. In Chile, despite widespread and readily available HIV testing, infected people continue to get tested in a late fashion and are usually diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease. Aim: To determine the elements that facilitate or impede a timely HIV testing and to evaluate how to improve the access to HIV testing. Material and Methods: Descriptive, in-depth interviews to 30 participants with unknown serology, 15 participants diagnosed at AIDS stage and 15 health care professionals working at a primary healthcare settings. Results: Users and professionals formulated three suggestions to improve timely access to ELISA test for HIV diagnosis. Namely, to inform users and professionals about the characteristics of the disease and diagnostic test, to offer fast and easy access to HIV testing, and to train the whole healthcare team about obtaining informed consent for testing. Conclusions: These recommendations should be implemented at healthcare centers to attain a timely HIV diagnosis.

Facilitadores y barreras que enfrentan las personas al tomarse el test de ELISA para el diagnóstico del VIH: revisión de la literatura / Facilitators and barriersto HIV testing: A literature review

Background: Late diagnosis of HIV is a problem of international and national relevance. Despite the availability of HIV testing in primary health care, it is often performed too late. Aim: To identify facilitators and barriers to early HIV testing in primary health care. Methods: Four databases of nursing, psychological, biomedical, and health related professions areas were examined with a review protocol. Results were grouped into two main subjects: facilitators and barriers occurring among the population, among health care workers, and within primary health care centers. Results: Perception of risk behaviors, self-care, social support, trust, confidentiality of the examination, the offer of the examination, and the knowledge of early treatment have been recognized as facilitators for taking the exam. The lack of information about the test and the disease are recognized as the main barrier to access the test. This information is a cornerstone to design and implement strategies to increase the number of people taking voluntarily HIV testing.

Introducción: El diagnóstico tardío de la infección por VIH es un problema universal. A pesar de la disponibilidad del test de ELISA para el diagnóstico de esta infección en la atención primaria de salud, las personas continúan tomándoselo tardíamente. Objetivo: Conocer los factores que facilitan o dificultan que las personas accedan oportunamente al examen en la atención primaria de salud. Métodos: Cuatro bases de datos del área de la enfermería, psicológica, salud biomédica y profesiones afines (años 2001-2012) fueron examinadas con un protocolo de revisión. Resultados: De 195 artículos detectados, 15 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y fueron agrupados en dos grandes temas: elementos facilitadores y elementos obstaculizadores de la persona, de los profesionales y de los centros de atención primaria de salud. Percepción de conductas de riesgo, autocuidado, apoyo social, la confianza, confidencialidad del examen, el ofrecimiento del examen y el conocimiento de un tratamiento oportuno han sido reconocidos como uno de los elementos facilitadores para la toma del examen. La falta de información sobre el test y la enfermedad son reconocidas como los principales obstaculizadores para acceder al test. Discusión: La información obtenida es un pilar fundamental para diseñar e implementar estrategias destinadas a aumentar el número de personas que solicitan voluntariamente al examen.