Hong Kong could offer HIV test kit collection at convenience stores for privacy, Taiwan official says
A finger prick or oral fluid using a self-testing kit can determine if a person is infected in 20 to 30 minutes and help reach more of those who are undiagnosed
Hong Kong could follow Taiwan by distributing HIV self-testing kits at convenience stores to address privacy concerns, a Taiwanese health official has said, a move that may raise testing rates for the virus that causes Aids.
The proposal by Dr Huang Shih-tse, a medical officer from Taiwan’s Centres for Disease Control, is an attempt to tackle the fear of identity exposure which he said remained a major obstacle in getting people to come forward for testing.
“HIV self-testing kits at convenience stores could ease worries about privacy,” Huang said in an interview with the Post on a recent visit to Hong Kong. “People worry others will know they are getting tested.”
A finger prick or oral fluid using a self-testing kit can determine if a person is infected in 20 to 30 minutes. The World Health Organisation says the kits can help reach more people with undiagnosed HIV.
Last year Taiwan launched a trial scheme under which self-testing kits were delivered to convenience stores for collection after people ordered online from the island’s health authorities at a cost of NT$200 (HK$53). The fee was refundable if the results were reported back to the Centres for Disease Control.
More than 5,000 convenience stores on the island were used as pickup points. But walk-in purchases were not allowed.