Launch of self Testing Report

Eunice Sinyemu

11th June 2015

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

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

• 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

HoweverFor 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

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

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

• 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

RecommendationsBecause 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

• 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

• Human rights must be central

Thank you