HIV testing: What, where and how?

Abstract

Globally, one in four people living with HIV are unaware of their status. Current HIV testing services' strategies are falling short of reaching all, and thus, HIV testing should be offered in more decentralized and non-traditional settings such as the dental and community settings. The workshop titled "HIV Testing: What, Where, and How?" provided an overview of concepts and advances in HIV point of care and self-testing diagnostics and a discussion on the implementation of HIV self-test interventions in different healthcare settings and its impact thereof. We also described how to build layperson capacity to deliver HIV testing in community settings. Additionally, we discussed what we have learned from expanding HIV testing beyond the specialist setting. We also noted considerations (i.e. provider willingness, test selection, training and preparing testing environment) dentists and other non-specialist providers need to account for if they are planning to conduct HIV testing. Finally, we highlighted facilitators and barriers to implementing HIV testing in the dental setting on a global scale. These considerations are critical to meeting the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target to help end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Keywords: self-testing; HIV testing; capacity building; dental.