New HIV self-test kit unveiled as Gov’t targets students in self-testing campaign

KAMPALA, UGANDA: A new HIV self-test kit; “CheckNow” has been unveiled to ease access to testing services among youths through a self-testing campaign to target students 20-34 majority of whom are at campus.

Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, who officiated at the launch of the self-test kit at Serena Hotel in Kampala, yesterday said the innovation is being piloted in eight universities which include; Makerere University, Uganda Christian University,  Makerere Business School, Kyambogo University, Nkumba University, Kampala International University,  Ndejje University, and Nkozi University.

While traditional testing procedures have long been shunned by these youths due to the stigma, Aceng hopes that this campaign will serve as a pilot for future programming of the project and for other health services to be extended to higher institutions of learning.

The minister noted that once the product is procured in large quantities, other people in the community, including people living with HIV/Aids will have the kits.

“What is available is a donation. We have been negotiating the price with Abbott and subsequently, our partners like the Global Fund of President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEFFA), will procure it for use in Uganda. There are few kits available in the country and will be distributed to those in need,” she said.

The new test kit comes with a whole lot of privacy and convenience to the students who previously took their health by “luck” owing to the sexual activeness of the targeted age range.

Dr Joshua Musinguzi,  the programme manager for Aids control , said although their data shows that progress had been made in HIV testing, they still have some gaps among men, children and adolescents.

Dr Musinguzi revealed that a 2020 study indicated that about 20 percent of people, who were living with HIV, had not yet been identified.

“By that time, 80 percent of people living with HIV had been identified. It must have been improved to over 90 percent. Our national target is to reach 90 percent by 2023, and the United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (Unaids) target is by 2025. We want to fast-track HIV testing, improve treatment, and viral suppression by 2023. HIV care coverage is at 96 percent, viral suppression is about 92 percent,’’ he said.

How the HIV self-test kit Works

The Check Now self-test kit is a one-time-use gear which depends on a blood sample from a finger prick. The slight blood fluid is then placed in a tube which forms a reaction with an acidic chemical within 10-15 minutes to produce a result.

Before testing, you must read all the instructions. Conformance with the test procedure is necessary to ensure an accurate result.

1. Prepare a timer and a tissue.
2. Open and place all the materials on a flat and clean surface with bright light.
3. Wash hands in warm water and dry.  If no warm water is available, rub your hands together.
4. Choose the ring finger of the middle finger.
5. Massage and rub your hands and finger to increase circulation.
6. Clean the finger with an alcohol pad. Let it dry for 10 seconds.
7. Remove the lancet cover.
8. Press the Lancet against the figure until it clicks.
9. Massage from the base to the tip, and let two drops of the blood fall onto the basin. If you are having difficulty, wipe the finger clean and squeeze again.
10. Wipe your finger with an alcohol pad and apply the plaster. If needed, press on the plaster to stop bleeding. Start the next step immediately to transfer blood.
11. Squeeze the top of the spacemen dropper all the way down and hold while dipping into the blood sample.
12. Dip the dropper into the blood in Basin and release slowly to draw blood into the dropper. Avoid bubbles when drawing blood.
13. Place the dropper over the well labeled squeeze the top of the dropper to apply 1 drop of blood into the wells.
14. Start the timer. Read results in 15 to 20 minutes, not past 20 minutes.

Reading the HIV Test Results

If you are negative, a red line will appear in the C area, it means the test did not detect the presence of HIV. However, very recent exposure cannot be excluded.

It is recommended to conduct a retest after six weeks from the latest risk of exposure to HIV.

If you are positive, one line in the C area, together with one line in the T area, no matter how faint, indicates the potential to be HIV positive. Consult a care provider. A reactive test must be confirmed by a lab test. The launch of the self-testing now targets youth in higher institutions of learning.