There is some controversy surrounding the recent
availability of HIV self
test kits in Australia. It is a
somewhat complicated argument that most certainly both sides of the have some
merit. Those against self testing for
HIV in Australia are concerned that individuals testing of their HIV status
without medical supervision of doing so without access to counseling to prepare
them and assist them in the event of an HIV positive result. They also foregoing counseling that may
assist him in avoiding the necessity for testing by discussing the behavior
that put them at risk of HIV infection and helping them understand how to avoid
the risk. These are certainly valuable
points however the logic of that would then prevent many individuals from testing
if test kits were not available could potentially have a negative effect in the
overall percentage of the population the test for HIV after at risk
behavior.
It is logical to assume that
most people in Australia infected with HIV as a result of sexual interactions
were infected by a person who had not been tested for HIV. It is also logical to assume that the
conflicting individual was aware that they had had at risk sexual behavior yet
for some reason they had not tested for HIV.
Given that everyone in Australia has access to a general practitioner
and more and HIV testing clinic is also logical to assume that the potential
reasons for that individual mark testing are those of convenience and or privacy.
By giving those individuals and alternative testing method for HIV
potentially HIV home tests kits
will increase the percentage of at risk individuals testing for HIV.
No single HIV testing method will suit all members
of the public. The objective must
certainly be to test as many individuals as possible through which ever HIV
testing method they choose to use in Australia. Only by testing those individuals who are not
using traditional HIV testing methods the only hope to reduce the number of HIV
positive individuals that have an unknown status carrying on at-risk sexual
behavior.
