When routine HIV testing kits were made available to patients in the waiting room of a Baltimore hospital, 400 of 402 people accurately diagnosed their HIV status. Given the importance of early detection, self-administered tests seem like a logical step. And now that this study suggests people are capable of using them correctly and interpreting the results accurately, is there any reason not to make these test kits publicly available?
home hiv test, hiv self test, home hiv test kit
I think the most important issue to think about would be pre and post test counseling for any person taking a “self-administered” HIV test.
Consider a teenager (or anyone for that matter) sitting at home in there bedroom taking a “self-administered” HIV test. He or she gets a positive HIV test result. What now? How do we ensure that this person receives proper follow-up care? Will this person seek out “confirmatory” testing to verify the original result?
home hiv test, hiv self test, home hiv test kit
How do we insure this individual does not commit suicide or goes on a sexual rampage potentially infecting other “victims” as a result of a “preliminary” HIV result? Although 400 of 402 people can correctly administer and interrupt a “self-administered” HIV test, this does not ensure an accurate test result. Several situations can trigger “false positive” preliminary test results.
We don’t give people “self-administered” cancer test kits. Should we really let them self diagnose HIV?
home hiv test, hiv self test, home hiv test kit