Belza Egozcue, Maria JoseHoyos, JuanFernandez-Balbuena, SoniaDiaz Franco, AsuncionBravo, Maria JoseFuente, Luis de la2020-02-032020-02-032015-04-09Euro Surveill. 2015 Apr 9;20(14). pii: 21089.http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/9000We assess the added value of a multisite, street-based HIV rapid testing programme by comparing its results to pre-existing services and assessing its potential to reduce ongoing transmission. Between 2008 and 2011, 8,923 individuals underwent testing. We compare outcomes with those of a network of 20 sexually transmitted infections (STI)/HIV clinics (EPI-VIH) and the Spanish National HIV Surveillance System (SNHSS); evaluate whether good visibility prompts testing and assess whether it reaches under-tested populations. 89.2% of the new infections were in men who have sex with men (MSM) vs 78.0% in EPI-VIH and 56.0% in SNHSS. 83.6% of the MSM were linked to care and 20.9% had <350 CD4 HIV prevalence was substantially lower than in EPI-VIH. 56.5% of the HIV-positive MSM tested because they happened to see the programme, 18.4% were previously untested and 26.3% had their last test ≥2 years ago. The programme provided linkage to care and early diagnosis mainly to MSM but attendees presented a lower HIV prevalence than EPI-VIH. From a cost perspective it would benefit from being implemented in locations highly frequented by MSM. Conversely, its good visibility led to reduced periods of undiagnosed infection in a high proportion of MSM who were not testing with the recommended frequency.engVoRhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/AdultEarly DiagnosisFemaleHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleMass ScreeningPopulation SurveillancePrevalenceProgram EvaluationRisk-TakingSexual BehaviorSpainMobile Health UnitsAtribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional25884149201410.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.14.210891560-7917Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletinopen access