A medical worker from the Muong Lat District Medical Station takes a blood sample for HIV testing at Tam Trung commune in the central province of Thanh Hoa (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Much like home testingkits, the oral HIV quick test method will be launched in Vietnam for the firsttime, said an official of the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Vietnam Administrationfor HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC).
According to Vo Hai Son, head of the HIV/AIDSSurveillance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Testing Division under VAAC, the MoHis conducting 80,000 HIV tests through saliva in Hanoi and HCM City. The testwill also be launched in Thai Nguyen province, Can Tho city and Ba Ria-Vung Tauprovince in the coming time.
The oral HIV self-test showed 99 percentaccuracy in detecting HIV antibodies in high-risk populations, Son said.
High-risk groups include people who injectdrugs, homosexual men, and people who engage in unprotected sex.
A US-based HIV testing manufacturer has agreedto sell the kits to Vietnam for around 2 USD per unit, whereas most kits onlinego for up to 20 USD per unit, he said.
People at high risk of HIV infection can buythis product and test themselves at home, getting results in as little as 15minutes.
Much like home pregnancy tests, the oral HIVself-test can only serve as a preliminary method of diagnosis. People who getpositive results after quick testing should go to medical facilities to seekthe most accurate results, Son said.
“Early HIV detection plays an important role inpreventing and treating the disease, especially for pregnant women. Earlydetection of HIV will help the process of treatment and prevention ofinfections in children," said Son.
At the press conference late last week, VAACwarned about increasing HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM).
A recent survey conducted in Hanoi showed thatthe HIV infection rate in MSM accounted for 12 percent of the overall number,Son said.
The risk of HIV infection could increase as HIVprevalence among MSM is high, he added.
According to statistics from VAAC, about 200HIV-infected children are born each year.
“Previously, 500-600 babies were infected withHIV every year from their mothers. It is hoped that this number will drop to 60babies or less in the future if there are early preventive measures,” said HoangDinh Canh, deputy head of VAAC.-VNS/VNA
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