Link: http://newswise.com/articles/survey-reveals-support-for-over-the-counter-hiv-testing
Survey Reveals Support for Over-the Counter HIV Testing
Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2012 -- Who's Positive, a national HIV awareness organization, today announced the results of a year-long online survey measuring support for over-the counter (OTC) HIV testing. The organization will present these results at the upcoming U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Blood Products Advisory Committee (BPAC) on May 15, 2012.
Overall, the survey findings demonstrate support for rapid OTC testing - particularly from the HIV community - with approximately half of the respondents identified as people living with HIV/AIDS.
The survey gathered responses from 1,569 participants, 74% of which said that they would support an OTC rapid, oral swab HIV test that could be purchased in a retail store, if approved by the FDA. Other key findings include:
* 66% of the respondents who identify as a HIV-positive consumer support an OTC HIV test
* 80% of those aged to 30 support an OTC HIV test
* A majority or nearly 52% of those who identified as a paid member of an HIV/AIDS organization support an OTC HIV test
* 47% of those who identify as one who performs HIV testing support an HIV OTC test
“Our survey demonstrates widespread support for additional testing options, especially among younger generations and those who are already living with HIV,” said Tom Donohue, Founding Director of Who’s Positive. "Over-the-counter testing has the potential to break down barriers and empower people who have never been tested before to learn their HIV status and, if positive, find the care and support they need."
About Who’s Positive
Who's Positive is committed to raising the awareness of HIV and its consequences. Our organization foregrounds the reality of living with HIV through the first-hand accounts of those coping with the disease. Who's Positive strives to remind the public that this is a virus with no cure. Through the stories of those living with HIV, Who's Positive hopes to reduce the transmission of HIV among teens and young adults - a population with one of the fastest growing infection rates.
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Contact:
Tom Donohue (434) 260-1330
www.whospositive.org
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It's important to note that an OTC oral/rapid home test is not replacing the conventional way we currently test. It is an additional resource an additional option . I believe people should be able to learn their HIV status the way they want to learn it. I know from traveling and listening to feedback that many people - (including a population of people who have chosen not to know their status using conventional methods) find it intrusive to communicate sexual behaviors to complete strangers or to anyone at all- we know that this prevents people from going and learning their status - they simply do not want to share their sexual history with another person in their community. As important as this service can be - we must acknowledge its true, a certain population don't want to get tested that way. Stigma continues to prohibit folks from being seen going into a clinic. An OTC test puts the power in the hands of the person wanting to know their status to decide who they tell, how they tell it and where they want to learn their fate. No one ever said that learning your HIV status is easy. It's not. As an HIV-positive individual for nine years, I know firsthand how difficult it can be.
