• Share
• Tweet
• Share
• Pin
• Email

When you hear of HIV Self-Test Kits what comes to your mind? I’m sure your guess is as good as mine. HIV Self-Testing can be defined as the process by which a person who is interested in knowing their HIV status collects his or her own specimen (oral fluid or blood), performs the HIV test, and subsequently interprets the result. This is often effected in a private setting, with the self-tester being either alone or with someone he or she trusts.

HIV Self-Tests are only able to detect HIV antibodies, and are thus referred to as second-or-third generation HIV tests (second and third generation tests can accurately detect long-standing HIV infection, but their ability to detect recently acquired HIV is more variable).
A popular example of HIV-Self Test is the OraQuick HIV Self-Test. The OraQuick HIV Self-Test uses oral fluid to check for antibodies to HIV Type-1 and HIV Type-2, viruses that can cause AIDS. It consists of a stick (device) to collect the specimen, a test tube (vial) to insert the test stick and complete the test, testing directions, two information booklets, a disposal bag and phone numbers for consumer support.

Directions For Use:
(1) Swab your upper and lower gums with the test kit (which contains an absorbent pad) to collect the oral sample.
(2) Insert the device into the kit’s vial which contains a developer’s solution.
(3) Wait 20-40 minutes (you need to watch to record the time of the reaction of the test before reading your result).
(4)) Read the test result.

The result of HIV Self-Testing could be reactive, non-reactive or invalid.
A reactive result is when the test indicates that HIV antibodies are present in the oral fluid sample used for the test. Here, two RED lines show on the T and C marks in the result window of the test device. A positive result with this test does not mean that an individual is definitely infected with HIV but rather that additional testing should be done in a medical setting to confirm the test result.

A negative result is when the test indicates that HIV antibodies are absent in the oral fluid sample used for the test. Here, one RED line shows on the C mark in the result window of the test device. A positive result with this test does not mean that an individual is definitely not infected with HIV, particularly when exposure may have been within the previous three months. Again, an individual should obtain a confirmatory test in a medical setting.

An Invalid Result could also be obtained using the OraQuick HIV Self-Test. This occurs either: (a) where no red line appears in the T or C marks. (b) where a line appears in the T mark but not on the C. An Invalid result can happen when: (a) the person conducting the test lacks the knowledge and skill on how to do it. (b) when he or she does not follow the instruction manual properly. (c) when the test kit is not good.

OraQuick HIV Self-Test could be conducted either by: (a) Directly Assisted (b) Unassisted methods. The former refers to the presence of a learned provider or peer who gives the individual about to carry out the self-test an in-person demonstration, before or during the self-testing on how to perform and/or interpret the test reusult. (b) Unassisted Methods connotes the self-execution of the test following the instruction manual provided in the pack of the kit by the manufacturer.

Clinical studies have shown that the OraQuick HIV Self-Test has approximately 92% accuracy for test sensitivity (the percentage of results that will be positive when HIV is present. In a similar vein, the self-test kit has been discovered to be 99.8% when testing for test specificity (the percentage of results that will be negative when HIV is not present).

It is extremely vital that, when using the OraQuick Self-Test Kit, you carefully read and follow all labeled directions. This is so as to prevent a false positive result, an invalid result, or no result.

• Share
• Tweet
• Share
• Pin
• Email