HIV Self Testing Kits are a useful tool to detect the HIV infection and to monitor HIV-related health risks. They contain pictorial instructions, translated into local languages, a community HIV care provider telephone number, and a pre-filled results form that must be returned. The kits also include an envelope for returning used self-tests. You can learn more at HIV Testing Kit
HIV self-testing kits should not be used without medical supervision. A study found that people who are not sure about the tests’ accuracy should get counseling from healthcare professionals. The HIV Self Testing Kit should only be used by people who understand its procedures and who have been exposed to HIV. Otherwise, it may end up causing more harm than benefit. The test may take up to three months to detect the presence of HIV, a window period in which the virus is most infectious.
The study also examined how sexual risk behaviors and demographics affected willingness to use HIVST. The study found that younger women were more likely than younger men to use HIVST. They were also more likely to ask their sexual partners to use the kit. However, older young adults were less likely to use HIVST. The study found that HIV self-testing kits are most useful when used as a preventative tool.
A community-based HIV Self Testing Kit was a great tool to promote HIV testing. It was distributed to households by trained lay-counsellors. This approach facilitated the use of HIV self-testing and increased men’s awareness and uptake of HIV testing services. In addition, it was more acceptable than the standard finger-prick RDT. It was also found that men who received HIV self-testing kits from a secondary distribution were more likely to test themselves.
In addition to HIV self-testing kits, communities can also implement door-to-door secondary distribution of HIV testing kits to reach older men. Because older men are more likely to test positive for the virus, this form of distribution may be a key strategy for reaching the HIV Prevention 2020 targets. In addition to door-to-door secondary distribution of HIV self-testing kits, community health workers can also facilitate HIV self-testing through m-Health platforms and video-based instructions.
HIV Self-Testing Kits are more effective when they are distributed via mail. In this study, the mail distribution of HIV self-tests increased HIV diagnosis rates among gay and bisexual men. Moreover, it may provide a more efficient mechanism for HIV prevention programs. As a result, HIV program planners should consider sending HIV self-tests to gay and bisexual men they recruit online. Regardless of the size of the population, mail distribution of HIV Self-Testing kits should be considered an additional component in their HIV prevention portfolio.
HIV Self-Testing Kits have improved HIV knowledge among community HIV care providers.The development of HIV Self Testing Kits has shown positive results in some communities, despite the fact that 30% of people living with the disease are unaware of their status.