Self-Testing of HIV:
A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS Research (ICMR-NITVAR) and Mizoram University has highlighted the success of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) self-testing in Mizoram.The study examined HIV self-testing implementation in Mizoram, which has India’s highest HIV prevalence (2.73%), 13 times the national average.The epidemic in the state is largely driven by injecting drug use and commercial sex work. Lack of early testing and stigma prevents many from accessing timely treatment. HIV self-testing allows individuals to collect their own blood or saliva samples and interpret the results using a test kit. The study found self-testing to be a convenient, confidential, and more effective way for high-risk groups to know their HIV status than traditional campaigns, with potential for replication in other states.
