Effectiveness Cost of HIV rapid tests in Italy and Europe

In the United States, about a quarter of the estimated 1.1 million people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are not aware of their HIV status. HIV tests in communities with outreach settings can be an effective strategy to identify people with unidentified HIV infection. The spread of innovative rapid tests represents an additional opportunity in the field of HIV prevention. HIV rapid tests represent an excellent diagnostic tool to reach the rural or poor population where accessibility to test is limited or populations with high-risk infection. Cost-effectiveness point of view, this service always has the potential for early diagnosis by affecting lower hospital spending, preventing clinically aggravated cases with decreased CD4 and acquired immunodeficiency. The study analyses the characteristics of rapid tests by evaluating what can be used in Europe and Italy from case studies. The sensitivity, specificity and project needs are the main factors of choice in testing projects