Heterogeneity of HIV testing practices in free healthcare centers in France: A national demonstration study.

OBJECTIVES

This nationwide survey aimed to establish an overview of HIV testing practices in French free healthcare centers (Permanences d'Accès aux Soins de Santé - PASS) and to identify potential obstacles encountered by their staff.

METHODS

A questionnaire was distributed between January and July 2020 to all French PASS units, with a total of 97 respondents.

RESULTS

Fifty-six percent of responding PASS units did not have a systematic screening protocol. Obstacles cited by respondents in their daily practice included a need for more information on HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing (26%) and the fact that the coordinating physician did not always possess specific HIV-related qualifications (74%).

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed the essential role of PASS units in providing access to health care and treatment for people in precarious situations and demonstrated that medical staff training in the field of sexual health is essential to the improvement of HIV testing in France.