National multi-stakeholder meetings: a tool to support development of integrated policies and practices for testing and prevention of HIV, viral hepatitis, TB and STIs

BMC Infectious Diseases

Manuel Maffeo¹  Stine F. Jakobsen²  Arian Dišković³  Tatjana Nemeth Blažić⁴  Raimonda Matulionyté⁵  Daniel Simões⁶  Lella Cosmaro⁷  Nadia Gasbarrini⁸  Zoran Dominković⁹  Iva Jovovic^1,10  Justyna Kowalska^1,11  Piotr Wysocki^1,12  Ilona Razmiene^1,13  Loreta Stoniene^1,14 

[1] Arcigay Associazione LGBTI Italiana;CHIP- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen;Croatian Association for HIV and Viral Hepatitis (HUHIV);Croatian Institute of Public Health;Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos;EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, University of Porto;Fondazione LILA Milano – Italian League for Fighting AIDS;Fondazione Villa Maraini Onlus;Iskorak (Sexual and Minorities Rights Center);Life Quality Improvement Association (Flight);Medical University of Warsaw;National AIDS Centre Agency of the Ministry of Health;National Public Health Surveillance Laboratory;Republican Centre for Addictive Disorders;

关键词: Integrating services;    HIV;    Viral hepatitis;    Tuberculosis;    Sexually transmitted infections;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12879-021-06492-y

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Country level policies and practices of testing and care for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections are lagging behind European recommendations on integration across diseases. Building on previous experiences and evidence, the INTEGRATE Joint Action arranged four national stakeholder meetings. The aim was to foster cross-disciplinary and cross-disease collaborations at national level as a vehicle for strengthened integration of testing and care services. This article presents the methodology and discusses main outcomes and recommendations of these meetings. Methods Local partners in Croatia, Italy, Lithuania and Poland oversaw the planning, agenda development and identification of key persons to invite to ensure that meetings addressed main challenges and issues of the respective countries. Invited national stakeholders represented policy and public health institutions, clinical settings, testing sites and community organisations. National experts and experts from other European countries were invited as speakers and facilitators. Main topic discussed was how to increase integration across HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in testing and care policies and practice; tuberculosis was also addressed in Lithuania and Italy. Results The agendas reflected national contexts and the meetings provided a forum to engage stakeholders knowledgeable of the national prevention, testing and care systems in interaction with international experts who shared experiences of the steps needed to achieve integration in policies and practice. The evaluations showed that participants found meetings relevant, important and beneficial for furthering integration. Of the respondents 78% agreed or strongly agreed that there was a good representation of relevant national stakeholders, and 78% that decision/action points were made on how to move the agenda forward. The importance of securing participation from high level national policy makers was highlighted. Outcomes were nationally tailored recommendations on integrated policies and strategies, diversification of testing strategies, stigma and discrimination, key populations, cost effectiveness, surveillance and funding. Conclusions Shifting from single to multi-disease approaches require collaboration among a broad range of actors and national multi-stakeholder meetings have proven excellent to kick-start this. Face-to-face meetings of key stakeholders represent a unique opportunity to share cross-sectoral perspectives and experiences, identify gaps in national policies and practices and agree on required next steps.

【 授权许可】

Unknown