HIV Testing

 Hi Delegates, 

Besides the importance of finding a cure, or at least solution to delay mortality from the virus, it is also crucial that we consider preventative and mitigation measures for this crisis. This blog post will focus on the key considerations of effective testing rollout, as well as the importance of testing in controlling and decreasing the spread of AIDS. 

The Importance of Testing: 

HIV testing is important in intercepting the spread of AIDS by catching cases of HIV before they can lead to AIDS. In America, tests were initially used to test the presence of HIV in donated blood, to cut off the transmission of HIV through blood transfusions. However, testing also offers crucial benefits to an individual. If one tests positive, they are able to begin ART quickly and reduce their viral load to an undetectable level and prevent the development of AIDS, the more severe condition. Since HIV targets your immune system, it is important to treat the patient while they are healthy and lacking clear negative symptoms, and this is only achievable through testing to identify cases. HIV testing will also aid in preventing reinfection. Furthermore, according to the CDC, if a woman with HIV is treated early in her pregnancy, the risk of transmitting HIV to her baby is 1% or less. 

HIV testing is also vital to tracking its spread in the community. Currently, UNAIDS estimates that half the people in the world with HIV have not been tested and diagnosed. Once made aware of a positive HIV test results, studies have shown that people reduce behaviour that is likely to spread HIV by as much as 80%.

Considerations of an Effective Rollout Plan:

In 2010, the South African government launched a large-scale, HIV testing campaign that increased annual HIV testing from 50% in 2008 to 66.5% in 2014. In planning and carrying out such a campaign, there are important a few key considerations: 

• Testing type: Determining whether to offer blood, urine or oral-based testing, or all as options.

• Reach: Ensuring testing occurs in both metropolitan and rural areas, and is affordable for the population.

• Infrastructure: Planning out how to implement the testing stations, as well as what body will oversee the rollout. People must trust the ones carrying out the plan, and with large testing numbers and results, careful management is needed to account for the data. 

• Ethics and Privacy: Considering patient privacy and methods to combat the negative stigma surrounding not only getting a positive result, but getting a test in the first place. Although tests are effective in controlling the virus’ spread, they could be misused to discriminate against vulnerable groups.

• Follow-up: Planning what will be done with the results of the tests, and how it can be applied forward to further mitigate the spread of AIDS.