HIV policy in Italy and recommendations across the HIV care continuum

Abstract

The HIV epidemic has not yet ended, and there are ever more challenges: the recent Italian National Plan of Interventions against HIV and AIDS (Piano Nazionale di Interventi Contro HIV e AIDS (PNAIDS) 2017-2019) was hailed for its comprehensiveness. Its likelihood of success across the HIV care continuum was therefore assessed. Awareness interventions are sporadic and continue to miss high risk populations; if effectively implemented, the prescriptive detail in PNAIDS may help address this. Combined prevention needs greater focus and investment. However, there has been recent progress: free anonymous testing is available at multiple settings although improvements to provide access to key vulnerable populations are needed. Clinical management is available to a high standard across the country, with some areas for improvement in ensuring equality of access. Long-term management of people living with HIV is often effective, but discrepancies exist across regions and settings of care. It is recommended to enable implementation of PNAIDS as a matter of urgency, develop integrated awareness and testing interventions for STIs and HIV, make condoms free for high-risk populations, and develop a network of multidisciplinary services for long-term holistic care of people living with HIV.