Nghe An effectively implements a model of providing HIV self-testing through the website

On the morning of December 14, Nghe An Center for Disease Control held a conference to summarize the pilot implementation of the self-testing test kit provision model.HIVthrough the 2021 website and deploy the 2022 plan. Attending the conference were representatives of the World Health Organization Office in Vietnam, the Department of Health and units implementing the model.

Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh - Director of Nghe An Center for Disease Control opened the conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

Nghe AnNghe An is currently one of the 10 provinces and cities with the highest number of HIV-infected people in the country. The number of people infected and still alive is 6,020. In recent times, HIV/AIDS prevention work in Nghe An has achieved many positive results when 4,724 people have participated in treatment. However, this work still faces many difficulties when the HIV epidemic still tends to increase and become younger. Aid sources and funding for prevention and control have been cut.

In particular, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, HIV prevention and control work in the locality faces many challenges. In particular, the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the provision of testing services for people at risk of HIV infection and those in need of regular HIV testing.

Registering for a test kit ensures high security. Photo: Thanh Chung

Overcoming the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), Nghe An has deployed a community-based testing model - providing home testing services through the website tuxetnghiem.vn; towards ensuring coverage of services related to HIV screening tests.

The process of distributing free test kits through the website tuxetnghiem.vn begins with customers registering; staff implementing the model receive orders and send goods; units deliver test kits to customers. During this process, staff implementing the model provide consultation before, during and after testing; confirm initial screening results and provide services related to treatment.

Online consultation on self-testing using rapid tests available on the website. Photo: Thanh Chung

From April 14 to December 12, 2021, in Nghe An, 2,495 test kits were ordered; 2,183 customers were tested (including people who inject drugs, use synthetic drugs, transgender people, prostitutes, people who have unsafe sex, and homosexual men). Through testing, 95 people were found to be HIV positive.

It can be affirmed that: Providing HIV self-testing via the website and delivered to your home is very suitable in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic; it is convenient and highly confidential. The model has had wide coverage in districts, cities and towns; helping Nghe An detect many new HIV infections.

The representative of the WHO Office in Vietnam highly appreciated the implementation of the model of providing HIV self-testing through the website implemented by Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Chung

At the conference, the representative of the WHO Office in Vietnam highly appreciated the implementation of the model of providing HIV self-testing kits via the website implemented by Nghe An. Compared to other provinces and cities implementing the model, Nghe An is the most effective locality. In 2022, WHO will continue to maintain the model of providing HIV self-testing kits via the website and connecting treatment and prevention services in Nghe An./.