HIV infections and AIDS cases in Poland in 2021 year. / Zakazenia HIV i zachorowania na AIDS w Polsce w 2021 roku.

BACKGROUND: Despite a temporary decrease in the number of newly HIV infections in Poland in 2020, a return to the growing number of new infections was observed in 2021 in the surveillance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly HIV infections and AIDS cases and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2021 in comparison to the changes in preceding years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases received from doctors and laboratories and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing conducted by laboratories throughout the country. A dataset on clients from Voluntary Testing and Counselling, coordinated by the National AIDS Center, which anonymously collects epidemiological and behaviour data on tested people was used. RESULTS: In 2021 there were 1 367 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate 3.58 per 100,000), including 236 among non-Polish citizens. The number of HIV infections increased by 43.3% compared to the previous year and was higher by 3.8% compared to the median in 2015-2019 years. Similarly, among VCT clients, number of HIV increased by 45%, from 309 in 2020 to 448 in 2021 year. The total number of AIDS cases reported to surveillance was 62 (incidence 0.16 per 100,000). The HIV infection was most often detected in the age group 30-39 year (35.8%) and among men (82.1%). Among cases with known transmission route, 68.7% concerned among MSM. The percentage of AIDS cases diagnosed at the same time with HIV increased by more than 30 percent points (from 63.5% to 95.1% of all AIDS cases). CONCLUSIONS: In 2021 the number of newly detected HIV infections increased compared to the previous year, probably due to a reduction in restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased in HIV testing rate.

HIV infections and AIDS in Poland in 2020.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2020 in comparison to the changes in preceding years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases received from doctors and laboratories and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. A dataset on clients from anonymous Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) network was also used. The activities of the VCT are coordinated by the National AIDS Center, which anonymously collects epidemiological and behavior data on people who come for testing. RESULTS: In 2020 there were 934 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate 2.44 per 100,000), including 100 among non-Polish citizens. The number of newly detected HIV infections decreased by 39.9% compared to the previous year and was lower by 26.9% compared to the median in 2014-2018 years. Similarly, among VCT clients, number of HIV diagnoses decreased by 42%, from 536 in 2019 to 308 in 2020 year, what was connected with 44% decreased in number of HIV tests. The total number of AIDS cases was 50 (incidence 0.13 per 100,000). The HIV infection was most often detected in the age group between 30 and 39 (35.7%) and among men (83.5%). Among cases with known transmission route, 68.5% concerned among men who had sexual contact with men (MSM). The percentage of AIDS cases diagnosed at the same time with HIV diagnosis decreased by almost 14 percent points in comparison to 2019 (from 75.8% to 62% of all incident AIDS cases). CONCLUSION: In 2020, the number of newly detected HIV infections decreased compared to the previous year, however, this is not only due to a decrease in the number of infections, but rather to a lack of continuity in the diagnostic and reporting system during the COVID-19 pandemic, as indicated by a smaller number of tests and greater delays in data reporting. Due to the chronic course of HIV infection, a full assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be possible in the future.

Changes in HIV testing trends in Poland during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, due to lockdown, limited mobility, as well as changes in the activity profile of some laboratories, the restriction also applied to access to various screening tests, including HIV screening tests. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess HIV testing trend during COVID-19 pandemic in laboratories in Poland and its comparison to the preceding years, with special focus on testing in the network of Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) sites serving population with higher behavior risk, which increase the possibility of HIV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the changes in HIV tests number was based on the results of the annual survey of HIV tests conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. The questionnaire included data on screening and positive tests by testing site type, age group and gender. In addition, we extracted data collected in comprehensive National AIDS Centre database, based on epidemiological and behavior data collected by VCT on people who come for testing. RESULTS: There are approximately 400,000 HIV tests annually run in general population in last years. COVID-19 pandemic, which occurred in beginning of 2020 did not have a huge impact on HIV test number among these population, because there was observed 1% decreased. Pandemic COVID-19, due to few lockdown reduced the HIV tests number among VCT clients - population with higher HIV risk infection. Tests number decreased by 44% compare to previous year, due to temporal closed of these centres. Data analysis shows that due to the pandemic, the structure of the surveyed people changed, especially in terms of age and gender, and the place where the study was performed. CONCLUSION: We confirmed low HIV testing rates in general population and low positivity rate over the studied period. The positivity rate was higher in the testing site network targeting individuals engaging in high risk behaviors. Changes observed in HIV testing trends in recent years have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increasing integrated testing in community settings through interventions for change, including the Spring European Testing Week.

BACKGROUND: Maximising access to testing by targeting more than one infection is effective in identifying new infections in settings or populations. Within the EU funded Joint Action INTEGRATE, this paper examined the feasibility and impact of expanding integrated testing for HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), chlamydia, gonorrhoea and/or syphilis in four community-based pilots through targeted interventions in Croatia, Italy and Poland and the Spring European Testing Week since community settings are key in detecting new infections and reaching key populations. METHODS: Pilots led by local INTEGRATE partners prioritised testing for other infections or key populations. The Croatian pilot expanded testing for men who have sex with men to syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Italian partners implemented a HIV and HCV testing/information event at a migrant centre. A second Italian pilot tested migrants for HIV and HCV through outreach and a low-threshold service for people who use drugs. Polish partners tested for HIV, HCV and syphilis among people who inject drugs in unstable housing via a mobile van. Pilots monitored the number of individuals tested for each infection and reactive results. The pilot Spring European Testing Week from 18 to 25 May 2018 was an INTEGRATE-driven initiative to create more testing awareness and opportunities throughout Europe. RESULTS: The Croatian pilot found a high prevalence for each syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea respectively, 2.1%, 12.4% and 6.7%. The Italian migrant centre pilot found low proportions who were previously tested for HIV (24%) or HCV (11%) and the second Italian pilot found an HCV prevalence of 6.2%, with low proportions previously tested for HIV (33%) or HCV (31%). The Polish pilot found rates of being previously tested for HIV, HCV and syphilis at 39%, 37%, and 38%, respectively. Results from the Spring European Testing Week pilot showed it was acceptable with increased integrated testing, from 50% in 2018 to 71% in 2019 in participants. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that integrated testing is feasible and effective in community settings, in reaching key populations and minimising missed testing opportunities, and the pilots made feasible because of the European collaboration and funding. For sustainability and expansion of integrated community testing across Europe, local government investment in legislation, financial and structural support are crucial.

HIV infections and AIDS in Poland in 2019.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections, and AIDS cases, and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2019 in comparison to the changes in preceding years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases received from doctors and laboratories and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. A dataset on clients from anonymous Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) network was also used. The activities of the VCT are coordinated by the National AIDS Center, which collects epidemiological and behaviour data on people who come for testing. RESULTS: In 2019 there were 1,551 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate was 4.04 per 100,000), including 144 among non-Polish citizens. The frequency of newly detected HIV infections increased by 28.2% compared to the previous year and was higher by 21.4% compared to the median in 2013-2017 years. The total number of AIDS cases was 95 (incidence was 0.25 per 100,000) and 15 people died from AIDS disease (0.04 per 100,000 ). The HIV infection was most often detected in the age group between 30 and 39 (36%) and among men (85,1%). Among cases with known transmission route, 73.6% concerned among men who had sexual contact with men (MSM). The percentage of AIDS cases diagnosed at the same time with HIV diagnosis increased by almost 8 percent points in comparison to 2018 (from 73% to 81.1% of all incident AIDS cases). CONCLUSION: In 2019, the frequency of newly detected HIV infections increased compared to the previous year. All actions should be taken to provide medical care to people with newly detected HIV infection, including foreigners residing in Poland. Also HIV testing action should be promoted among total population. Initiatives should be taken to raise awareness of the risk of HIV infection and to disseminate methods of prevention of infection, especially among key populations. It is also advisable to integrate different data sources, the combination of which will allow to improve their quality, as well as reliable monitoring of key epidemiological indicators.

Relating HIV testing patterns in Poland to risky and protective behaviour.

The aim of the study was to understand HIV testing patterns needed to improve access to early HIV diagnosis, and to investigate the spread of the virus in different populations. We examined prior testing history of individuals presenting for an HIV test across all 30 voluntary testing and counselling sites in Poland, 2008-2010 to determine factors associated with the testing rate using zero-truncated Poisson regression. Of 2397 persons presenting for an HIV test, 25 (1%) were HIV positive and 470 (19.6%) were repeat testers. The proportion of repeat testers was higher among men who have sex with men (MSM) at 37% (90/246), and people who inject drugs (PWID) at 32% (21/65). Higher testing rate was independently associated with exposure category (testing rate ratio, RR for MSM = 2.0, 95% CI 1.6-2.6, and 1.6, 0.9-2.6 for PWID), >5 sex partners (1.9, 1.4-2.7), high-risk partner (1.3, 1.1-1.6), urban residence (2.1, 1.3-3.5) and higher education attainment (1.1, 1.0-1.5). Inconsistent condom use with casual partners and sex under the influence of alcohol were associated with lower testing rates. There is a need to increase HIV testing uptake in Poland, especially among the rural population. Despite testing rates being higher among populations with higher risk of exposure to HIV (MSM and PWID), they still remain low, indicating the existence of barriers to testing.