Digital technology and HIV, HCV and STI voluntary counselling and testing: good practice example from Croatia.
Cent Eur J Public Health
; 30(2): 107-110, 2022 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1964911
ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to introduce the digitalization process and its effects on better reach of the target population. Progress in the digitalization and e-health tools worldwide enables new opportunities in prevention, diagnostics and treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and people in the risk of HIV infection, hepatitis C (HCV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The system already used for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) at the CheckPoint Centre Zagreb run by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Croatian Association for HIV and Viral Hepatitis (CAHIV) was upgraded and adapted (due to the COVID-19 prevention epidemiological measures) and developed for implementation of the pilot project of feasibility and acceptability of home HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Zagreb. A special feature of the HIVST mobile application enables an innovative approach in collecting clients' test result feedback. This paper presents the method of use digitalization of the VCT and HIVST activities to support and increase availability of screening testing. Described procedures of new technologies application in VCT services and preliminary results of the HIVST pilot project indicate that technology-delivered interventions can contribute and improve access and utilisation of HIV/STI prevention and care services.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
/
HIV Infections
/
Hepatitis C
/
Sexual and Gender Minorities
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Cent Eur J Public Health
Journal subject:
Epidemiology
/
Public Health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Cejph.a7237
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