About this Take-Home HIV Test....

So while I've had ample time to mentally and physically get my life together I've decided to return from my blogging hiatus on a health-related note (since my life seems completely surrounded by health information anyway). Now what has recently happened is that the FDA has approved a take-home HIV test. (article link below)

ABC New: FDA Approves first rapid take-home HIV test

I'm sure most people would be clapping right now because of this new avenue of sexual health prevention and accessibility, but not so fast... Did they even think about how effective this new thing really is? Just because you make something that sounds amazing does NOT mean that it is guaranteed to be amazing. This is a problem many people in the health arena have when creating a new program, initiative, policy, or product. I mean this product sounds great but everything has pros and cons to it. So for my inquisitive people, who care about health in any form or fashion, here are my top 5 cons to why I think this take-home HIV test won't be a good idea.

#5 "Affordability"
Ok... so you have a take-home test but how affordable is it going to be? You expect people to drop $60 on a HIV test that they can get for free at the neighborhood clinic? Lets be real. Affordability is an ongoing problem in the world of health then they state that this test is going to run them that much. When people have the HIV tests blasted to them for free only a few use these opportunities. Now you think its going to get the people going when you tell them that its $60? People will drop $600 on an iphone before they get a FREE HIV test every 6 months now! But who listens to the little asian girl anyway right?

---> Another article <----

#4 "Timing"
So if you are thinking about buying this take home HIV test, do you know what the time period is in order to test yourself correctly? One thing that health products have a hard time doing is EXPLAINING THINGS, so I wouldn't put it past the makers to forget key things that the public should know in their cute packets. Understand that most HIV tests diagnose HIV infection by detecting antibodies produced by the individual's immune system when they are exposed to HIV. However, it does take some time for enough of those antibodies to be present to be detected by the antibody HIV test. The time it takes for people to have produced enough antibodies varies; anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks or longer, with the average being about 25 days. Now, if that is something that is not explained in the instructions, you are going to have people buying this test the day after they have sex thinking that they don't have HIV, when their status is still questionable. So, if your timing isn't correct you just wasted approximately $60. So, proceed with caution.



#3 "Confidentiality"
You bought the test with a credit or debit card (just like 80% of the people that you know since we are too cool to carry cash these days) and now that shows up in your statement, on your bank statement, and the company knows who you are too. How confidential is that? Then, after you used the test, its in your garbage. Regardless of whether it is a positive or negative test your personal health information is just as important as your social security number. And most of the people that will use the test will just throw it in the garbage. I wonder if the makers thought about that.

#2 "Notification"
Ok maybe you have responses for my last 3 concerns but how will you control those people who don't notify their partner for HIV? When you test in a health facility they urge you or take control by notifying your current or recent partner that they should also get tested for HIV. But, if you give people the option to take it at home I am curious of the likelihood for them to call up their current or recent partner and say "Hey I have HIV". With the stigmas around HIV, I can imagine it would be difficult for one to notify someone they are not in a relationship with/casually involved with/ dating/ married to/(insert whatever relationship statuses you identify with). I've personally seen some people who are hesitant to notify their partner in a health setting so I can imagine what kind of hesitation would be involved if the only person who knows of their HIV status is themselves. It leaves too much leeway for the "no one has to know" factor. Not sure if that will be addressed in the take home HIV test package.


#1 "After Shock"
The final concern that I have regarding this issue is people and their initial reaction to a positive HIV test. People will most likely be in the privacy of their own home taking this test and what happens when they first find out they might have HIV? Most reactions of people who find out can range from shock to depressed to suicidal. How will we monitor that? The American Psychological Association talks about a case study that analyzed a possible correlation between HIV diagnosis and suicide. It showed that the rate of suicide attempts in their test population increased after diagnosis. Although this is a small test population its still leaves question as to how people will react after they find out they have HIV. What is the likelihood they will seek additional care? Will they be at risk for suicidal thought? Will there be resources included in this package to help prevent this? I don't know.

Part of my job is to analyze, question, understand, then improve so maybe I'm trained to look into this more than usual. But, this post was not intended for you to say "Eff the take home HIV test", but rather to think about these new products. You might think this is a good idea, but until my issues regarding this product have a solution, I'm not sold. People are quick to agree to things without questioning for themselves. Question to understand. And.. STOP waiting for this take-home HIV test to know your status.

A Nice lil throwback from 2007 that I'm listening to: Little Dragon - "Constant Surprises"
(sidenote I love Yukimi Nagano's voice!)