POLOKWANE – It has become a trend for residents to buy HIV/Aids testing kits from pharmacies and test them in the comfort of their own home, convenient as residents do not have to sit in long queues at clinics or hospitals to know their status. This can however have a huge disadvantage.
I decided to join the trend and bought a home HIV/Aids test and tested myself at home. It was my first time and the feeling was not good at all. The information leaflet explains carefully what you should do and I followed each step very carefully.
According to the instructions one has to wait 20 minutes for the results, the longest 20 minutes of my life. I remember walking up and down in the house and my siblings got really worried when I started sweating as I waited for the results. The whole process felt like torture but for what, my results will tell. Lucky enough the results came out negative, I sighed of relief and never tried it again.
Maphuthi Mashiane, a registered counsellor, says it is not advisable for one to buy the home testing kit and get tested in a private place, as there are procedures that should be followed before someone gets tested.
He explains that testing on your own is not beneficial and very risky. “You should be aware of advantages and disadvantages of the outcome of the test. The disadvantage of testing on your own is that you do not know how to react after getting your results, for obvious reason you will be happy if you test negative. If one may be unlucky and test positive, the person at that moment will be out of his or her mind and might feel as if their lives have come to an end. Sometimes this leads to depression, which could possibly result into suicide.”
Once a person tests positive, Mashiane explains further, it is important that the person receives counselling and guidance to a way forward. “People think after testing positive it is the end of life not knowing they can still lead a normal life if they live a healthy life and take prescribed medication. Therefore, getting tested at a clinic, hospital or private doctor is better than testing alone at home, because health professionals will follow the right procedures to ensure your mental stability during the testing process and after.”
I agree with Mashiane that it is better to have a professional with you to help calm your nerves, because so many things go through ones mind while waiting for your results. Next time I will test at a clinic or hospital.
