Objectives: We assess the contribution of a rapid-HIV testing program run by Médicos del Mundo and oriented to vulnerable populations reluctant to attend conventional settings.
Methods: We compare the program outcomes with a network of 20 HIV/STI clinics (EPIVIH) and the Spanish National Surveillance System (SNHSS).
Results: 33.3% of the new diagnoses were women (8.6% EPIVIH and 17.7% SNHSS). Transsexuals were 6.9% (1.9% EPIVIH), female sex workers 23.6% (2.0% EPIVIH) and 19.4% Sub-Saharan Africans (3.8% EPIVIH and 7.8% SNHSS). HIV prevalence in men was slightly higher than in the EPIVIH and almost twice among women.
Conclusions: This program is contributing substantially to the promotion of HIV diagnosis in female sex workers, sub-Saharan Africans and transsexuals, which are less present at clinical settings.