How to perform HIV self-test at Home. Easy Steps. Kenya’s HIV epidemic affects most of its general population, but groups of men who have sex with men, women, sex workers and people who inject drugs are still more vulnerable to infection.
“In the same year, 36,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses, while this is still high it has declined steadily from 64,000 in 2010,” reads part of the report.
For the better part of the millennium, the most effective way of preventing new infections was the use of condoms when engaging in sexual activity.
As the years progressed, the Antiretroviral drugs referred to as ARV were introduced for HIV positive people to be able to lead normal healthy lives.
Most recent is the adoption of the Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PreP) which can virtually eliminate the risk of getting HIV if taken consistently and correctly.
Kenyans can also test themselves at home using the Self-test kit which you can test either orally or with the blood.
Method 1: INSTI self-test
1. Before you start, make sure you read the instructions carefully.
2. Make sure that the test area is clean and bright.
3. Inside the kit, you will find the test device pouch, bottles 1, 2 and 3 and a lancet.
4. Open the pouch and place the test device on a flat surface and open bottle 1.
2. Make sure that the test area is clean and bright.
3. Inside the kit, you will find the test device pouch, bottles 1, 2 and 3 and a lancet.
4. Open the pouch and place the test device on a flat surface and open bottle 1.
5. Remove the blue tip out of the lancet and rub the finger until warm
6. Press lancet on side of the fingertip and press hard until you hear a click
7. Rub the finger to get a large drop of blood
8. Let one drop fall into bottle 1. Twist cap on bottle 1 and apply a bandage
9. Shake bottle four times and place the liquid in the test device. Wait until the liquid disappears.
10. Repeat the procedure for bottles 2 and 3 respectively.
11. You can now read the results.
One dot on C – NEGATIVE (test again in three months)
Two dots (on C and T) – POSITIVE (seek medical advice)
No dot – Invalid (seek medical advice)
12. When finished put all of the items into the big pouch, throw away the pouch into the waste bin.
Method 2: OraQuick HIV Self Test
1. Do not eat or clean thirty minutes before using the test or use mouth cleaning products for 30 minutes.
2. Open the packet and take out a tube, remove the cap and place in a tube holder.
3. Find and remove the test kit and make sure to not touch the flat part
4. Press the flat part firmly against the gum; One along the upper gum and once along the lower one
5. Read results after 20 minutes, don’t read the results after 40 minutes
6. Press lancet on side of the fingertip and press hard until you hear a click
7. Rub the finger to get a large drop of blood
8. Let one drop fall into bottle 1. Twist cap on bottle 1 and apply a bandage
9. Shake bottle four times and place the liquid in the test device. Wait until the liquid disappears.
10. Repeat the procedure for bottles 2 and 3 respectively.
11. You can now read the results.
One dot on C – NEGATIVE (test again in three months)
Two dots (on C and T) – POSITIVE (seek medical advice)
No dot – Invalid (seek medical advice)
12. When finished put all of the items into the big pouch, throw away the pouch into the waste bin.
Method 2: OraQuick HIV Self Test
1. Do not eat or clean thirty minutes before using the test or use mouth cleaning products for 30 minutes.
2. Open the packet and take out a tube, remove the cap and place in a tube holder.
3. Find and remove the test kit and make sure to not touch the flat part
4. Press the flat part firmly against the gum; One along the upper gum and once along the lower one
5. Read results after 20 minutes, don’t read the results after 40 minutes
6. If there are two lines; one next to the C and T even if it very faint you may have HIV. Contact a medical professional, who will perform follow up tests.
7. If there is one line next to the C then the result is negative.
8. However, if you think you have been exposed to HIV recently, then you should take another test in 3 months.
9. If there is no line the test is not valid and you need to perform another one.
7. If there is one line next to the C then the result is negative.
8. However, if you think you have been exposed to HIV recently, then you should take another test in 3 months.
9. If there is no line the test is not valid and you need to perform another one.
Here is a video:
The kit can only be used once. Once you have performed the test it cannot be reused and results should be used immediately.
If you are HIV positive and taking HIV treatment, this test is not for you as it may produce a false negative result.
There are 62 pharmacies where you can get the kit across the country.
The kit retails for Kshs.750.
According to medical reports, the oral kit is 80 percent accurate and you should follow up with a visit of to a medical professional.
All kits come with instructions with photos and are explained in English and Kiswahili.
If the test reads positive, it is advised to seek counselling from a professional who will advise on how to live a full life with the virus while on medication.