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HIV Testing Coming Closer to HomeBy Candace Y.A. Montague May 17, 2012
If you could have your way, would you prefer to take an HIV test at home or at a physician's office? Well one advocacy group says take it at home. According to whospositive.org, a national HIV awareness group, support for over-the-counter HIV testing is growing. They released the results of their year-long survey that measured potential support for an over-the-counter HIV test. It seems that increasingly the tide is turning and testing is coming out of the doctor's offices and clinics. But is it wise to leave testing up to untrained consumers at home without consultation from a medical professional? Who's Positive gathered responses from more than 1,500 participants. Some of the highlights from the survey were
However ...
For many years now, a 'rogue' group of AIDS activists have been pushing for home HIV testing kits to be made available across the country for years. Why? To increase testing accessibility and decrease the chances of an embarrassing encounter in a clinical setting. In spite of what people see in the District, HIV tests are not readily accessible everywhere in the country. And the stigma attached to the virus can make it nearly impossible to simply ask for the test. Supporters argue that with the right tools, a set of clearly written directions, and a hotline to call for help, an adult should be able to handle testing privately. There are testimonies about people being asked invasive questions and told their results in a crowded waiting room within earshot of strangers. Home testing would eliminate the possibility of humiliation. Critics of the test, however, warn that OTC testing can be detrimental. Their claim is that pre and post test counseling are prime times for education. If a person tests negative, it is important for them to get information about safe sex practices and clean needle exchange. If the results are positive there is no telling how a person will react. They could harm themselves or another person out of revenge. It would help to have a trained professional on the spot to assist with coping with a devastating diagnosis such as this one. Also, if a person tests in their home, they may feel more compelled to keep their results hidden. This is not helpful at all to epidemiologists who are desperately trying to track this disease and determine how and where this epidemic is hitting the hardest. Who's Positive will present their results to the Food and Drug Administration's Blood Products Advisory Committee on May 15th. What do you think? Is it time to let people test themselves for HIV at home? Leave a comment at the bottom of this page. Get email notifications every time this blog is updated.
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D.C. HIV/AIDS Examiner  Candace Y.A. Montague Candace Y.A. Montague has been learning about HIV since 1988 (and she has the certificates from the American Red Cross to prove it). Health is a high priority to Candace because she believes that nothing can come of your life if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it. One of her two master's degrees is in Community Health Promotion and Education. Candace was inspired to act against HIV after seeing a documentary in 2008 about African-American women and HIV. She knew that writing was the best way for her to make a difference and help inform others. Candace is a native Washingtonian and covers HIV news all around D.C. She has covered fundraisers, motorcycle rides, town hall meetings, house balls, Capitol Hill press conferences, election campaigns and protests for The DC Examiner.com and emPower News Magazine. Subscribe to Candace's Blog:
Recent Posts:
March 25, 2013 - Candace's AIDS News Update: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague
March 11, 2013 - Three Condoms Rule No More: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 5, 2013 - HIV Prevention Strategies for Women Proven Ineffective: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague February 8, 2013 - Black HIV/AIDS Awareness: Eight Points to Keep in Mind December 29, 2012 - Babies Mamas Show Not Rooted Enough in Reality A Brief Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself. |
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