At-Risk Groups of Men Who Have Sex With Men Can Be Reached Through Community-Based HIV Testing in Denmark

AIDS Educ Prev. 2021 Oct;33(5):439-449. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2021.33.5.1. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Abstract

This study evaluates whether the community-based HIV testing clinic Checkpoint could reach at-risk groups of men who have sex with men (MSM) and link patients to care. A prospective observational study of all Checkpoint visits during 2013-2016 and a retrospective registry study of all MSM diagnosed with HIV in Denmark during the same period were conducted. One percent of the 9,074 tests in Checkpoint were HIV-positive, accounting for 19% of all new HIV diagnoses among MSM in Denmark. Checkpoint testers reported frequent condomless anal sex. Two percent of migrant Checkpoint testers were HIV-positive compared to 1 % among Danish MSM. HIV-positive MSM identified through Checkpoint were significantly younger, more of them were migrant, and a smaller proportion were late testers compared to those testing through the conventional health care system. Checkpoint reaches at-risk populations of MSM and links patients successfully to care.

Keywords: HIV; emigrants and immigrants; health services accessibility; preventive health services; sexual and gender minorities.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • HIV Testing
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*