HIV Self Screening takes flight in City

CAPE TOWN – Over the past 12 months, the public health sector introduced two new measures to encourage HIV testing. People commemorate World AIDS Day today.

The measures are:

Index Case Testing (ICT) – encourages those with HIV to have all at-risk contacts to test for HIV. Such contacts include sexual partners, young children and injecting drug partners.
HIV Self Screening – a person can conduct their own HIV test, either in the presence of, or assisted by a healthcare worker. This service is now available at 38 City Health facilities, and nearly 15,000 people have opted for this type of testing.

Should a person’s self-test turn out positive, they will be recommended to undergo the usual HIV testing either by a lay counsellor or nurse at a healthcare facility.

‘It’s very encouraging to see clients responding to these new options available to them. Knowing your HIV status is empowering, because it allows you to make the right decisions for your health, but also protecting your loved ones. I remind the public that HIV is essentially a treatable chronic disease, but treatment relies on testing. We understand that stigma remains a big challenge, which is unfortunate, because if we were more tolerant and accepting, more people would get tested. So, as part of the education and awareness around World AIDS Day 2022, I also challenge one and all to check our prejudice, and be part of the solution,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

City facilities with self-screening:

Albow Gardens, Bloekombos, Bluedowns, Crossroads 1, Delft South, Diep River, Dr Ivan Toms, Eastridge, Factreton, Gugulethu, Hout Bay Main Road, Ikhwezi CDC, Kuyasa, Langa, Luvuyo, Masiphumelele, Matthew Goniwe CDC, Mayenzeke, Mzamomhle, Philippi, Phumlani, Protea Park, Ravensmead, Saxon Sea, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Site B Youth Clinic, Site C Youth Clinic, Somerset West, Spencer Road, St Vincent, Tafelsig CDC, Town 2 CDC, Vuyani, Wallacedene, Weltevreden Valley, Westlake, Westridge, Wynberg

General HIV Statistical Trends (City Health):

‘The statistical trends are encouraging, but there is always room for improvement. Recently, with International Men’s Day, we highlighted the need for men to start playing a more proactive role in their health and well-being…And with the new screening methods at their disposal, this should be entirely doable,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.

Majority of those testing for HIV aged 15-49 years.
The percentage of persons testing positive dropped from 13% (2010) to under 2% (2022)
HIV testing in males increased from 19.5% (July, 2020) to 25,2% (October, 2022)