Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in the WHO European Region, March to August 2020.

ABSTRACT:

Background

COVID-19 affected testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based voluntary, counselling and testing (CBVCT) services for those infections in the WHO European Region.

Methods

An online survey was distributed between 14 October and 13 November 2020 to testing providers in the WHO European Region. Key questions included: impact on testing volume, reasons for this impact, measures to mitigate, economic effects, areas where guidance or support were needed. A descriptive analysis on data reported by CBVCT services was performed.

Results

In total, 71 CBVCT services from 28 countries completed the survey. From March to May 2020, compared to the same per

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Lopez L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10234647 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature