Rwanda Biomedical Center ( RBC)  says that HIV self-testing was to complement other testing methods.

The measure which was introduced in December 2017 targets people who have tight work schedules and cannot submit to the conventional process.

It is in this context that The National Association for Supporting People living with HIV/AIDS (ANSP+) is implementing the project dubbed "Improving HIV Self-Testing Use and Acceptability for Achieving HIV Testing Goal among Key and Priority Populations in the City of Kigali.”

The project was sponsored by UNAIDs in collaboration with Rwanda Bio-Medical Center (RBC).

The Non-governmental Organization was created in 2000 with 32 associations of people living with HIV and AIDs orphans in Rwanda that increased to more than 164.

With government policy of changing the associations into cooperatives, the organization has now 70 self-helping cooperatives all over the country.

ANSP+ mission is to strive for the quality of life of those infected and directly affected by HIV/AIDS and fight against the spread of HIV.

The project consists of implementing Evidence-Based Prevention interventions for key and priority populations in Rwanda under The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).It is this context that ANSP is educating people on the following steps in Oral HIV self-testing that were also documented in a video.

Oral HIV self-testing is where a person collects his or her own specimen (oral fluid) and then performs an HIV test and interprets the result.

Key Message

Most people assume that blood is involved in HIV testing.

But with OraQuick® an oral swab is used for testing and requires no blood. 

By collecting oral fluid from your gums, you collect fluid similar to that used in blood testing. 

So the OraQuick Test detects antibodies for HIV, not the virus itself. 

You just gently swipe the test swab along your upper gums once and your lower gums once.

Then you insert the swab inside the test tube provided and get your results in just 20 minutes.

How the oral HIV self-testing kit works

Oral HIV self-testing kit allows one to discreetly determine their HIV status at a time and place that is convenient for them.

A person is supposed to swab the device on both upper and lower gingiva – the tissue (covered by mucous membrane) of the jaws that surrounds the bases of the teeth.

Put the device into a solvent liquid and read results on the same device within 15 to 20 minutes.

When the result is positive, the devise mark two red lines.

All positive results will need to be confirmed by a health care professional.

Ordinarily, in Rwanda, those found to be HIV-positive have to get free and immediate treatment and support at their nearest health facility.

The device is used once and has 99.7 per cent accuracy rate, higher than that of an average pregnancy test kit.

However, they may not detect infections that have occurred within the last three months, so it is recommended that those at high-risk are tested after every three months.

Who should do an oral self-test?

It is important to follow the instructions to ensure an accurate result.

Note that if you are HIV positive and taking HIV treatment, this test is not for you, as it may produce a false negative result.

Avoid this before starting test

Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes before you start the test or use mouth cleaning products 30 minutes before you start the test.

How to do self-test

First of all, find a quiet place that has good lighting and a flat surface to perform the test.

Open the pack, take care about instructions and read carefully.

The kit contains the test kit, tube test record and tube holder.

Open the pack. Remove the cap on the plastic tube inside and place the tube in the tube holder.

Find the test kit and the small package that stores the kit is storage only and is not needed for the test. Throw it away.

Make sure you do not touch the flat pad of the test kit.

Place the flat pad firmly against your gum (the tissue that surrounds the necks of teeth and covers the alveolar parts of the jaws), once around the lower gum and once upper gum.

Put the flat pad right away into the tube.

Leave it there for 20 minutes before reading the results.

How to read the results?

To read the results, there are two lines to observe: One next to 'C' and one next to ' T'.

If the next line is very faint then you may have HIV.

If your results show two lines you should contact your closest health center in order to confirm your result, and if they find you are HIV positive they will give you a professional counselling and orient you in appropriate service to start Antiretroviral Treatment  to stay healthy. 

If there is one line next to the ‘C’ and no line next to the ‘T’ then your result is negative.

However, if you think you have been exposed to HIV recently, then you should take another test in 3 months.

If there is no line next to The ‘C’ or ‘red background’ makes it impossible to read the results.

If the line is nil next to ‘C’ or ‘T’ then the test is not working. You need to get another one, and restart the procedure as it is mentioned in the additional documents inside the box. Know that you have completed the text, remove the test kit from the tube, put the cap back on and throw everything away in normal rubbish.

Note

Do not read the results after 40 minutes.

A negative result with this test does not mean that you are definitely not infected with HIV, particularly when exposure may have been within the previous 3 months

A positive result with this test does not mean that you are definitely infected with HIV, but rather that additional testing should be done in a medical setting.

If your test is negative and you engage in activities that put you at risk for HIV on a regular basis, you should test regularly.

There are some basic preparations you'll need to make before taking the OraQuick® HIV test.

Some people may feel a little anxious when taking an HIV test. But if you feel very anxious about taking the test, you may want to wait to take it, or get tested by a healthcare professional or local clinic.

Here's your checklist when getting ready for the test

Do not eat, drink or use oral care products (such as mouthwash, toothpaste or whitening strips) 30 minutes before starting this test.

Remove dental products such as dentures or any other products that cover your gums.

Find a quiet, well lighted place where you can be for at least 20 minutes.

Always use the directions in the test kit to help read your results correctly.

If you use glasses to read, you will need them for taking this test.

Please make sure you have read the information on the back of the outer carton box.

Make sure you have a timer, watch or something that can time 20 to 40 minutes.

It may be helpful to have access to a phone to speak directly with a support person.

If you're HIV positive, or are on treatment or preventive treatment for HIV, the OraQuick test is not meant for you.

When you have not to use the test?

Don't use the test if the tamper-evident seal has been broken or if any of the package contents are missing, broken, or have been opened and when the expiration date of the test is past the date printed on the outside of the box.

Don't use the test if the test has been exposed to household cleaning products and if the test has been stored outside the acceptable temperature of 36°-80° F (2°-27°C).

Remember, this test detects HIV infection if used 3 months after a risk event. That's because OraQuick tests for HIV antibodies, and it takes your body up to 3 months to produce these antibodies at levels that can be detected by this test.

Contacts: For Further Information "OraQuick” Don’t hesitate to call or text 0788353891 /0788761985 /0788443140 or contact our website Email: ansprwa1@yahoo.fr or info@rbc.gov.rw .you can also visit us on ANSP+ www.ansp.org.rw