Health system capacity to report on indicators fostering integrated people-centred HIV care : findings from six European countries

Abstract

Introduction: Effective antiretroviral treatment has greatly increased life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, PLHIV have higher levels of multimorbidity than the general population. Integrated people-centred health services are needed to effectively manage non-AIDS comorbidities and to achieve good health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study assesses national health system capacity to monitor indicators that are relevant to the changing focus of HIV care.

Methods: Through desk research and expert consultation we determined that health-related concerns for PLHIV in Europe include certain non-AIDS comorbidities, HRQoL, discrimination within health systems and unmet psychosocial needs. We created a 56-item English-language survey to assess whether health systems currently report on these issues as part of routine HIV monitoring or whether they have the capacity to do so. One leading HIV expert completed the survey in each of six countries: Estonia, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden and Turkey. Data collection took place in April–June 2018. We compiled results in Microsoft Excel and performed descriptive analyses.