Requirements for consent for blood borne virus testing vary across European countries and differ across infections in some countries. In many countries explicit informed consent, sometimes accompanied by pre- and post-test counselling, is recommended for HIV testing. In others, a written consent is required. Complicated HIV testing consent procedures are a barrier for testing implementation in many settings, particularly in non-specialist healthcare settings. However, a comprehensive overview of European consent requirements is lacking.

A EuroTEST working group consisting of European HIV and hepatitis clinicians and community representatives, and supported by colleagues in ECDC and WHO/Europe and the EuroTEST Steering Committee, developed a survey on blood borne virus (HIV, hepatitis B and C) testing consent requirements in the countries of the WHO European Region.  Data collection took place October 2023 - April 2024, with 84 responses from 34 countries.

The survey mapped differences between consent requirements for HIV and viral hepatitis testing, covering both policy and practice. Results were presented as an abstract for the IAS conference in Munich in July 2024 and was accepted as a poster (see picture below). In summary, written or documented consent remains a requirement for HIV testing in more than a third of the responding countries. The mapping will serve as input for developing a recommended testing consent procedure with possible variation across setting, ultimately seeking to reduce barriers for testing across the Region.