Assessing the HIV rapid test in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Trinidad

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid test as an effective tool in the response to the HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Trinidad.Design and methodsThe study is comprised of a retrospective analysis of data collected from May 2008 to July 15, 2011 and a prospective arm of those tested during July 18, 2011 – August 30, 2011. During the prospective phase, blood samples were tested using rapid tests manufactured by Inverness Medical Innovation and Trinity Biotech followed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, irrespective of the results of the rapid test. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data and risk behaviors. The study was conducted in one randomly selected primary health care facility of the eight that offered same-day HIV testing in Trinidad.ResultsA total of 297 persons participated in the prospective arm of the study and the rapid test was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99.6%. Females and those aged 20–29 years were most likely to participate. Over the study period, the number of persons who received rapid tests increased but the prevalence of positive HIV test results decreased from 4.4% in 2008 to 2.1% in 2011. The main reasons for being tested were curiosity (38%), results being obtainable the same day (27%), and confidentiality (13%). Approximately 50% of respondents reported more than one sex partner in the previous year while 14% used condoms regularly.ConclusionPeople need to know their own HIV status and that of their partners to make healthy decisions about sexual behavior. At the health facility studied, 2.6% of people who took the HIV rapid test were HIV positive.

Knowledge and Acceptance of HIV Counselling And Testing (HCT) among Non-Teaching Staff of A Nigerian Private University

“…This is in agreement with the result of the study carried out in Shanghai China [16][19] [22] but this was not synonymous with the findings of study conducted in Kwara state of Nigeria [10] . The acceptance of HCT was high among participants which is similar to the result of studies conducted in other regions in Africa [12][14] [17] and Ethiopia [4] .…”

HIV testing barriers and intervention strategies among men, transgender women, female sex workers and incarcerated persons in the Caribbean: a systematic review

“…In two articles,37 38 HIV rapid testing (RT) was reported as an HIV testing promotion strategy. Eight of the 11 countries included had policies in place for HIV RT, and all countries were using RT at the main laboratory in the country 37.…”

“…In the same article, three countries in 2014 reported using oral fluid tests for point-of-care testing versus nine countries that used blood-based test kits 37. HIV RT use was evaluated in Trinidad and Tobago, and an increase in testing from 1652 in 2008 to 5253 in 2010 was reported 38. Overall, 27.1% of testers cited the convenience of getting their results on the same day as a reason for testing 38.…”

“…HIV RT use was evaluated in Trinidad and Tobago, and an increase in testing from 1652 in 2008 to 5253 in 2010 was reported 38. Overall, 27.1% of testers cited the convenience of getting their results on the same day as a reason for testing 38. Another article reported that participants who expressed a test preference preferred oral fluids testing to fingerprick testing (65.8% vs 34.2%) 39…”

Nystatin Profile on Candida Species in HIV/AIDS Patients with Oral Candidiasis: A Phenomenology Study

“…The subjects of this research were HIV/ AIDS patients treated in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya, Indonesia. The inclusion criteria were: HIV/AIDS patients diagnosed with rapid test/3 HIV testing methods 7,8 , having diagnosed with oral candidiasis by clinical examination and 10-20% KOH test 9,10 , and male or female patients aged >18 years. This study excluded subjects taking antifungal drugs in 2 weeks before test, and no colony growth found on culture examination with candida Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA).…”