Many people with HIV remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed late. Early diagnosis of HIV prevents future ill health or death, stops viral transmission to partners and children, and reduces burden to public health budgets.
General practice may provide access to HIV testing to people less likely to attend sexual health clinics, including key populations at risk of late diagnosis, such as heterosexuals and people of black African and Caribbean origin.
Using a pilot study and a cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (RHIVA2), this project demonstrated that HIV screening in Hackney general practice increased HIV diagnosis and was acceptable to staff and patients. The project included a systematic review of HIV shared and the following studies on RHIVA2:
- Health economic analysis
- Post-trial implementation, including comparison to a primary care network-enhanced service in Tower Hamlets and usual care in Newham
- Dissemination and implementation in London