In the PREVENT project, we examine if we can successfully reach people, who are not previously tested for HIV, with free HIV self-tests. The self-tests are distributed in social networks by peers.
Peers are people who have had a training on the self-test, so that they can easily offer HIV testing.
The project is executed by Public Health Services (GGDs) and hospitals in the Netherlands, see: about this website.
* they more often face barriers to testing, due to stigma around (homo) sexuality and HIV.
IMPORTANT
The self-test can only detect HIV infections that were acquired 3 months or longer ago. The test result says nothing about (sexual) risks that you had in the past 3 months. More information about this window phase of 3 months can be found at Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
If this self-test detects an HIV infection, the result must be confirmed by a blood test at the STI clinic (GGD) or GP.
The OraQuick test can only detect infections that are acquired 3 months or longer ago.
Have you received the self-test? First, read all the information on this page and view the instruction video at 'How does the test work'.
The test uses oral fluid, so there is no need to draw blood. You swipe the test stick along your gums once, and then place it in a test tube containing liquid.
After 20 minutes, you can read the result on the test stick.
Watch the video to get an idea of how the test works. When you take the test, follow the step-by-step instructions carefully, or your test result will not be reliable.
You can only use the test once, for one person. After taking the test, you can throw it away with the normal rubbish.
Go to ‘The test result’
The self-test is nearly as good as a test done by the STI clinic (GGD), GP or hospital. But pay attention to:
If the self-test shows the presence of HIV, this means that you may be infected with HIV. However, the test does not offer 100% certainty. You will need to contact the STI clinic, GP or hospital to take a second test.
If the self-test does not show the presence of HIV, it means that you probably aren’t infected with HIV unless:
This test only provides information about HIV infection, not about other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Your privacy is our primary concern. You do not have to enter personal information such as your name or address on this website. You can log in with the number on the test package. Then you fill in a questionnaire with questions about your age and sexual preference. This provides us insight in who participates in this project.
We do ask you for an email address. Then you receive a short questionnaire about your experiences with the self-test after 3 weeks. This is voluntary, but very important for the evaluation of this project. The information is treated completely confidentially and used for evaluation purposes only. Email addresses will be destroyed immediately after receipt of the questionnaire.
Your IP address will not be stored.
For more information, go to Privacy
