HIV testing rates remain very low in Colombia, with only 20% of individuals at risk ever tested. In order to tackle this issue, the Corporacion de Lucha Contra el Sida (CLS) has implemented a multidisciplinary, provider-initiated, population-based HIV testing/counselling strategy named BAFI. In this report, we describe the experience of CLS at reaching populations from low socioeconomic backgrounds in 2008-2009. Two different approaches were used: one led by CLS and local health care providers (BAFI-1) and the other by CLS and community leaders (BAFI-2). Both approaches included the following: consented HIV screening test, a demographic questionnaire, self-reported HIV knowledge and behaviour questionnaires, pre- and posttest counselling, confirmatory HIV tests, clinical follow-up, access to comprehensive care and antiretroviral treatment. A total of 2085 individuals were enrolled in BAFI-1 and 363 in BAFI-2. The effectiveness indicators for BAFI-1 and BAFI-2, respectively, were HIV positive-confirmed prevalence = 0.29% and 3.86%, return rate for confirmatory results = 62.5% and 93.7%, return rate for comprehensive care = 83.3% and 92.8%, and ART initiation rate = 20% and 76.9%. Although more people were reached with BAFI-1, the community-led BAFI-2 was more effective at reaching individuals with a higher prevalence of behavioural risk factors for HIV infection.

Características en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres VIH+ en Cali-Colombia 2012-2015 Related characteristics in men who have sex with men HIV+ in Cali Colombia 2012-2015Características relacionadas em homens que fazem sexo VIH+ em Cali-Colômbia

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Introduction: In Colombia, 20%-54% of the population with sexual practices at higher risk for HIV infection (men who have sex with men, transgender women, women sex workers) has sometime been tested.Objective: To describe perceptions of sexual risk, HIV and HIV testing in people with risky sexual practices and people who identify themselves as heterosexual.Methods: Between 2012 and 2014, it was carried a descriptive study using HIV screening out in Cali-Colombia with the voluntary participation of 940 people aged over 18 years. There were used: informed consent, structured questionnaire and HIV testing. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were performed.Results: Average age 28.5 ±10.9 years; 50% men. 357 (38%) were people from the traditional risk group for HIV infection; and 583 (62%) corresponded to the non-traditional risk group (heterosexual men and women). Likewise, 62% and 41% respectively had HIV test. 51% to 53% reported having sex when they consumed liquor; commercial sex was higher in the group with risky sexual practices (32% vs 3%), as well as anal relations (77% vs 23%), consistent use of condom (32% vs 9%), and HIV positive test (14.3% vs 1.6%). The multivariate analysis showed for both groups that having HIV test was associated with being older than 25 years and a history of sexually transmitted infection.Conclusions: Differentiated education strategies are needed based on risky sexual behaviors and that consider the importance of regular HIV tests for early diagnosis and timely enrollment in care and treatment.

ResumenAntecedentes: las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad entre pacientes VIH+ han disminuido notablemente con la terapia antirretroviral, paradójicamente los problemas nutricionales que enfrentan las personas VIH+ se han multiplicado. Objetivo: determinar conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre la alimentación y su relación con la presencia de síndrome metabólico en pacientes VIH/ SIDA bajo tratamiento antirretroviral. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal. Se entrevistaron, previo consentimiento informado, 102 pacientes VIH/SIDA mayores de 18 años de una clínica especializada en VIH/SIDA en Cali-Colombia. Se utilizó un cuestionario estructurado para características socio-demográficas y clínicas relacionadas con VIH/SIDA, así como para evaluación conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de nutrición y medición de marcadores de síndrome metabólico. Se llevó a cabo análisis descriptivo y multivariado. Resultados: adecuado nivel de conocimientos relacionados con nutrición 3,9%; prácticas saludables adecuadas frente a nutrición 2,0% y actitud favorable hacia la alimentación saludable 46,1%. El 36% presentó síndrome metabólico (principalmente colesterol HDL bajo 67,6% y triglicéridos alterados 59,8%). Tener síndrome metabólico se relacionó con algunas características de conocimientos (p<0,021) y actitudes (p=0,006), así como con un IMC≥25 (p=0,001) y contener más de tres años de tratamiento antirretroviral (p=0,003). Conclusiones: es necesario fortalecer estrategias amigables que mejoren conocimientos y comportamientos hacia la nutrición en esta población, sin afectar el control del VIH/SIDA.Palabras clave: conocimientos, actitudes y práctica en salud, síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida, síndrome metabólico, alimentación, conducta alimentaria, nutrición.Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas frente a la alimentación de personas con VIH/SIDA y su relación con síndrome metabólico, Cali-Colombia paradoxically, nutritional problems in HIV+ people have multiplied. Aim: To determine knowledge, attitudes and practices towards nutrition, and its relation with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among HIV+ patients receiving antiretroviral treatment. Methods: cross-sectional study, 102 HIV+ patients were interviewed, prior informed consent. Participants were over 18 year's old, and receiving comprehensive care in an HIV outpatient clinic in Cali-Colombia. A structured questionnaire was administered, which included questions about socio-demographic and clinical characteristics related to HIV/AIDS, and knowledge, attitudes and practices related to nutrition, physical activity and cardiac health. The levels of markers of metabolic syndrome were evaluated. Descriptive and multivariate analysis was performed. Results: Inadequate level of knowledge (in 3,9%) and healthy practices towards nutrition (in 2,0%) were identified, although most of the participants reported favorable attitudes regarding healthy eating habits (46,1%). 35,9% were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (mainly related to low HDL cholesterol in 67,6% or tri...