What are the recommended screening guidelines for HIV in high-risk populations in primary care?

In primary care settings, HIV screening is recommended for high-risk populations, including individuals with symptoms indicative of HIV or as part of differential diagnosis, especially if they belong to groups or communities with high HIV prevalence ¹.

HIV testing should be offered and recommended to people who have sexual contact with partners from high-prevalence countries, engage in high-risk sexual practices such as chemsex, or have a history of injecting drug use ¹.

In areas of high and extremely high prevalence, HIV testing is advised on admission to hospital, including emergency departments, for individuals who have not previously been diagnosed, especially if they are in high-risk groups or present with symptoms suggestive of HIV ¹.

HIV testing should also be offered to individuals registering with a GP or undergoing blood tests for other reasons, with consideration of opportunistic testing based on clinical judgment ¹.

Repeat testing is recommended in line with risk assessment, such as annually for men who have sex with men or for individuals with ongoing high-risk behaviors ¹.

In high-risk groups, testing can be facilitated through community outreach, self-sampling kits, and targeted campaigns to increase uptake ¹.