(P39) HIV AND SYPHILIS SCREENING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE AMONG VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS

Background:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, programs/services for diagnosing, treating, and preventing STIs were interrupted or slowed down. Therefore, our research group took advantage of the opportunity to test for COVID-19 and offered testing for HIV and syphilis among vulnerable people.

Methods:
This study aimed to screen vulnerable groups (homeless people, waste recycle pickers, LGBTQIA+  and immigrant individuals) for HIV and syphilis in Goiânia, Central Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. From June 2020 to April 2021, 627 individuals were interviewed on sociodemographic data and tested for anti-HIV 1/2 and syphilis using rapid tests. Prevalence with 95% CI was calculated.

Results:
The majority of individuals were male (53.2%), single (58.8%), and black or mixed race (75.9%). The median age, scholarly, and monthly income were 33 years, ten years of education, and 1,200 BRL, respectively.  Globally, the prevalence of syphilis was 17%, ranging from 7.6% in immigrants/refugees to 36.7% in LGBTQIA+ individuals. The overall prevalence of anti-HIV was 6.1%, ranging from 0.7% in waste recycle pickers to 23.1% in LGBTQIA+ individuals.  Anti-HIV was detected in 12 individuals who were not aware of their HIV serostatus (four homeless individuals, three men who have sex with men, three transgender women, one recycled waste picker, and one immigrant), suggesting recent infection. Twenty-two individuals were HIV and syphilis positive. All individuals who were positive for HIV and syphilis were referred to health services for care and treatment, if necessary.

Conclusion:
During the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, health managers must optimize actions to mitigate the lack and challenges of access to the few health services available for STI screening.