EACS2023: 161 Access to care among asylum seekers living with HIV P. Ryan , S. Manzano , D. Rahampour , G. Cuevas , J. Valencia , L. Martin , S. Navarro , J.I. Lazo-Alvarez , S. Rodriguez , A. Gonzalez-Baeza , B. Fernandez-Gomez , M. Fernández Ollero , J.V Lazarus , M. Sanchez-Conde Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain, Fundación Estatal, Salud, Infancia y Bienestar Social, F.S.P (FSCAI), Madrid, Spain, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain, Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York, United States, Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain General data Abstract category: Access and delivery of care Abstract body Purpose: To describe the sociodemographic profile of asylum seekers living with HIV upon their arrival in a European city and investigate how the challenges they face in accessing the healthcare system impact their overall well-being. Method: This was a prospective study carried out in 2022/2023, with a 6-month follow-up period. HIV positive asylum seekers were recruited from NGOs and referred to an HIV clinic in a hospital in Madrid. Each participant underwent a comprehensive evaluation by an infectious disease’s specialist and a social worker. Data on demographic, social, and clinical variables were collected for subsequent analysis. Results: 653 HIV positive asylum seekers were attended at the HIV clinic. The mean age was 33.6 (SD±8) years, 571(87%) were cisgender males, 552(84%) reported a homosexual orientation, 294(51%) were university educated and 584 (89%) were Hispanic. Upon arrival, 394(49%) had no social support network and 56(9%) were homeless. Overall, 476(87%) faced barriers in accessing the healthcare system. The median duration of HIV infection was 5 (3-8) years and 304(48%) had been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past year. In total, 555(85%) were ART-experienced and 98(15%) were naïve. Upon their arrival in Spain, 500(77%) participants were taking ART, but this number decreased to 398(61%) when they were assessed at the HIV-clinic. Therefore, 217(33%) participants had a detectable HIV viral load at baseline visit. Six months after initial assessment, 99% continued ART and 98% had an undetectable VL. Conclusions: In Madrid, HIV positive asylum seekers are predominantly young males of Latin American origin. Upon arrival, they engage in risky sexual practices and face barriers in accessing the healthcare system, which hinders access to ART. Despite utilizing direct referral pathways (NGOs), one-third of the individuals evaluated in the clinic had detectable HIV viral load. General conditions 1. I confirm that I previewed this abstract and that all information is correct. I accept that the content of this abstract cannot be modified or corrected after the submission deadline and I am aware that it will be published exactly as submitted.: Yes 2. I confirm that the submission of the abstract constitutes my consent to publication (e.g. conference website, programmes, other promotions, etc.). : Yes 3. I herewith confirm that the contact details saved in this system are those of the corresponding author, who will be notified about the status of the abstract. The corresponding author is responsible for informing the other authors about the status of the abstract.: Yes 4. I agree that all data provided may be used (saved, stored, processed, transmitted and deleted) in compliance with the privacy policy to provide the services described.: Yes 1,2,3 1 4 1 1 5 2 1 1 6 1 6 7,8 9,3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12 19TH EUROPEAN AIDS CONFERENCE | WARSAW 2023
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