Hiv self testing
- 1. Launch of self Testing Report Eunice Sinyemu 11th June 2015
- 2. HIV self testing: Perspective from NZP+ • NZP+ supports HIV self-testing as a complimentary strategy to increase HIV testing as well as people’s knowledge of HIV status • However, NZP+ strongly feels that before HIVST can be scaled up, it is important to consider the complexity around self-testing
- 3. As NZP+, we believe that….. Because HIVST involves testing in private • Has the potential to improve testing amongst those with undiagnosed HIV • To be used to reach out to hard to reach • Increase the frequency of testing amongst people at higher risk • Encourage mutual testing among partners
- 4. • It will reduce some of the barriers associated with HIV testing • Many people will have access to testing including hard to reach populations • It will contribute to the achievement of universal access to HIV treatment and care • Contribute to the achievement of 90-90-90 targets
- 5. However For HIVST to be truly effective, it will need to meet some of the criteria • Voluntary • Test kits should have enough information • Support mechanisms must be in place for those in rural areas • GBV issues needs to be considered • Distribution of testing kits needs to be considered
- 6. In addition, • Individuals must be fully supported to understand the benefits as well as what a negative result means what a positive result means • There must be a clear pathway to enable those who test positive to link in to care • Different contexts in which self-testing will be used must be assessed e.g gender power imbalances, multiple partners
- 7. Therefore.. Communities such NZP+ and its consitituency will play a key role in • Generating demands for testing • Advocating for availability of and access to treatment • Supporting individuals who test positive to be remain engaged in care • Documenting the impact, success, challenges
- 8. • Without meaningful community engagement, self-test can probably do more harm than good • From NZP+’s perspective it is important that linkage to care receives appropriate policy and attention
- 9. Recommendations Because HIVST puts sole responsibility on an individual to seek confirmatory HIV test: • CBOs and networks of PLHIV such as NZP+ will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the process • Therefore vital community voices and perspectives need to be heard • It is important that linkage to care receives appropriate policy attention
- 10. • Mechanism to monitor the outcomes of self- test must be in place • Data on HIVST are limited therefore additional research is needed • Age of those who want to use self testing kits must be considered • Frameworks that ensures quality diagnostics to give accurate results must be developed
- 11. • Human rights must be central
- 12. Thank you