NZP+ supports HIV self-testing as a way to increase testing rates and knowledge of HIV status, but has some concerns that need addressing first. For self-testing to be effective, voluntary and confidential testing kits must provide clear information, and support mechanisms should be in place. Communities like NZP+ will need to generate demand for testing, advocate for treatment access, and support linkage to care. Self-testing has potential benefits if implemented properly with community engagement and focus on linkage to care, but risks harm without these elements.

1. Launch of self Testing Report
Eunice Sinyemu
11th
June 2015

2. 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

3. 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

4. • 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

5. However
For 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. • 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

9. Recommendations
Because 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

10. • 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

11. • Human rights must be central

12. Thank you