Cape Town - HIV Home testing kits have hit the shelves of pharmacies and are available for R50.
This kit allows for one to test for HIV in the comfort of their own home, with clear directions indicated on the kit to assist one.
According to HIV Clinician Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl from Zuzimpilo Pulse Clinic in the Johannesburg CBD, the HIV home-testing kit has been available for two years. She believes pre-test counselling is important.
“Pre-testing and post-testing counselling is crucial. Once you have tested and you discover that you have tested positively, you need to visit your local clinic or pharmacist,” she urged.
Van Zyl spoke about how this allows for a doctor-patient relationship, where patients can be open with their doctors and be more informative about the kit.
“The beauty of this home test is that we allow patients to be part of the team – so when patients consider testing at home, they share any piece of information which they’ve found on Google or any where and that is an ice-breaker. The barrier between us is broken,” she said.
She believes it is important to speak to someone you can trust, when taking the test and that taking the test at home can eliminate fear and increase awareness.
IOL-Mojo