Rapid Tests for HIV
Rapid Tests for HIV The device for HIV testing in Europe is showing its limits. About 36 000 people with HIV, according to the latest estimates, not aware of being infected with HIV or are not medically monitor.
There are many barriers to HIV testing. To remedy this, the National Agency for Research on AIDS and viral hepatitis has developed a rapid screening tests to gay men with the combination of aid and is considering the feasibility and interest of early detection in the general population.
AIDS:insufficient Screening
In a countries like France,UK,USA where the screening is well accepted, free, easily accessible and often used, late diagnosis remains significant. There are many barriers related to fear of disease, stigma, discrimination, or the repression in the case of migrants. In addition, some people feel out of reach and deny the risk. Others ignore the disease or do not feel concerned. The aim is to bring those who do not own the process to be diagnosed in a screening center or to ask a doctor prescribing a test.
The principle of counseling with a doctor in two stages, based on consent, is not adapted to the populations most affected and may repel by its moralizing. In addition, the reporting of results takes several days, while in some cases it would be more rapid testing in appropriate places so that people do not disappear without picking their results. In France, it is estimated that 36 000 people are carriers of the AIDS virus without knowing it.
Rapid screening tests experienced
Against this drawback, the ANRS has launched an innovative program of research on screening. Among the studies undertaken in France, ANRS Com-Test, which started in mid-November is an experience of non-medical rapid testing to gay men at high risk of contamination. These tests, made from a single drop of blood collected at the tip of the finger, to find out if the person is infected with HIV or not in 30 minutes! Any discovery of the HIV rapid test will then be confirmed by a classical test, performed by medical personnel. Screening is carried out by associations, specially trained in this practice, on the premises of the Aids association. Bruno Spire, President of Aids, explains: "We believe that the counseling offered by the associations may be more relevant. In addition, a tender screening aims to encourage the repetition of the test for people who take risks but who repeated ' dare not get tested for fear of being judged.This experience will last 24 months.
A generalization towards rapid tests?
Two other studies ANRS will be conducted in emergency hospital in France with the objective to assess the feasibility and interest of early detection in the general population. The procedure is based on a quick test from a blood sample performed on the finger, thus making the result to the person (who accepted the test) it did not need to return to the service and if positive test, to offer immediate support.
All these studies received financial support from the Ministry of Health. The ANRS also considering the use of rapid tests in the Testing Centers Free and Anonymous (CDAG). The French Movement for Family Planning supports this initiative, believing that it is important that the new screening techniques can be widely disseminated. The Minister of Health also seems convinced, or almost: "These experiments used to evaluate the effectiveness of the model of rapid screening tests [...] and if necessary will consider an extension of these new methods to the whole national territory .
