Frequently asked questions

About HIV self testing

  1. There were no discolourations or marks on my self-test stick. What does this mean?
  2. Who are the ‘Virtual Support Team?
  3. My test has a line at the “C” and a very dark line at the “T”. What does it mean?
  4. My test has a line at “C” and a very weak line at “T”. What does this mean?
  5. My test does not have a “C” line but a “T” line. What does this mean?
  6. There were no discolouration or marks on my self-test stick. What does this mean?
  7. What do the letter “C” & “T” on the HIV self-test stick mean?
  8. My test result was positive. Can someone get HIV by touching, licking, or other contacts with the saliva on the test kit stick or the test tube or liquid?
  9. I mistakenly/accidentally removed the test kit stick (or it fell out) from the vial early (before 20 minutes). Will my results be valid?
  10. There is a small pouch of absorbent material inside the package that contains the test kit. Should I do anything with it?
  11. I wear braces. Can I still use the HIV self-test kit?
  12. Will other non-HIV medications e.g., antibiotics, etc. affect my results
  13. Can I use the HIV self-test kit on my child?
  14. I am on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), can I use an HIV self-test kit?
  15. Can the HIV self-test be offered to partners/peers?
  16. What can cause false positives when using the HIV self- test kit?
  17. What are the benefits of using rapid oral HIV self-tests?
  18. What is the (OraQuick) HIV self-test?

About the Self Test service

  1. Where do we deliver to?
  2. Can I order for a friend?
  3. Who is behind it?
  4. Is it confidential?
  5. Is it free?

There were no discolourations or marks on my self-test stick. What does this mean?

If there were no lines on the self-test stick when you read your result, your test did not work, hence the result is invalid. Do not take the result as a valid indication of your HIV status.

Please repeat the procedure with a new self-test kit and carefully follow the instructions.


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Where do we deliver to?

We currently deliver to the follow ing areas within Accra, Ghana. If you do not live in one of the these areas, we will not be able to complete delivery and your order will not be sent out.

In the future we hope to expand our delivery network. We are sorry if we cannot get you a kit at this time.

NEIGHBOURHOODS
AAbeka
Ablekuma
Abofu
Abokobi
Abossey Okai
Accra Central
Accra New Town
Achimota
Adabraka
Adenta
Adjiringanor 
Agape
Agege
Airport
Akweteyman
Alajo
Alhaji
Amanfro
Amasaman 
Amrahia
Anyaa
Apenkwa
Ashale Botwe
Ashiyie 
Ashongman 
Asylum Down
Avenor
Awoshie
Awudome
Ayi Mensah
BBaatsona
Banana Inn
Bortianor 
Bubiashie 
Bukom
Burma Camp
Burma Hills/Tse Addo
CCantonments
Chantan
Chorkor
DDanfa
Dansoman 
Darkuman
Dome 
Dzorwulu
EEast Legon
FFrafraha
GGbawe
Greda Estate
HHaatso
IIsrael 
JJamestown
KKanda
Kaneshie
Kaneshie
Kokomlemle
Kokompe
Kokrobite 
Korle Bu
Korle Gonno
Kotobabi 
Kuntunse 
Kwabenya 
Kwame Nkrumah Circle 
LLa
Labone
Lake Side
Lapaz
Laterbiokorshie 
Legon
Lom Nava
MMaamobi
Madina 
Makola
Mallam
Mamprobi
Mataheko
McCarthy HIll
Mile 11
Mile 7
NNgleshie Amanfro
Nii Boi Town
Nima
North Kaneshie
North Legon 
North Ridge 
Nungua
Nyamekye 
OOdorkor 
Ofankor
Ogbojo
Okaishie
Okpoi Gonno
Osu
Oyarifa
Oyarifa 
PPantang 
Pokuase 
RRace Course
Regimanuel Estate (East Airport)
SSanta Maria 
Sapeiman
South La
Sowutuom
TTabora 
Taifa
Tantra Hills 
Teshie
Tudu
UUssher Town
WWeija 
West Hills 

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Can I order for a friend?

No. Please give them the link to our app and ask them to order for themselves. We cannot provide kits to you for use by other people in order to protect their privacy and confidentiality. Reach out to us on 0303-960-212 , If you have further questions about this.


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Who are the ‘Virtual Support Team?

They are a team of friendly healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, who provide online support about HIV self tests and specialist sexual health advice, education and counselling when you need it.


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Who is behind it?

Self Test is a partnership between WAPCAS (Ghana-West African Program to Combat AIDS & STI) & SH:24 (UK) in collaboration with the National AIDS/STI Control Programme and the Ghana Health Service. We provide free HIV self test kits, education and counseling on HIV/STI and sexual health.


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Is it confidential?

Yes. Privacy and confidentiality are crucial to our service. All data is encrypted when you send it and when it is stored. We adhere to a strict privacy and data protection policy. Your data is never shared outside of the team.


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Is it free?

Yes. If you live in Accra and are over 18 years. Both the kit and the delivery are free of charge.


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My test has a line at the “C” and a very dark line at the “T”. What does it mean?

Source: OraQuick Information and Answers. http://www.oraquick.com

If your test result shows a line next to the letter “C” and a line next to the letter “T”, your test is reactive. This result shows that there is a possibility that you may be infected with HIV. However, the intensity of the lines on the test key does not correspond to the stage of the disease or the potential for infection.

You will need a second test to confirm your result. Until your test result is confirmed, please take precautions to avoid the risk of spreading HIV.


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My test has a line at “C” and a very weak line at “T”. What does this mean?

Any line next to the letter “T” on the self-test kit stick, regardless of its colour or hue, means that you have a reactive result. You will need a second test to confirm your result. Until your test result is confirmed, please take precautions to avoid the risk of spreading HIV.


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My test does not have a “C” line but a “T” line. What does this mean?

If your test has a line next to the letter “T”, but no line next to the letter “C”, it means your test did not work. For a test to work, a line MUST appear next to the area marked “C”. Therefore, the result is invalid. Please repeat the procedure with a new self-test kit and carefully follow the instructions.


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There were no discolouration or marks on my self-test stick. What does this mean?

If there were no lines on the self-test stick when you read your result, your test did not work, hence the result is invalid. Do not take the result as a valid indication of your HIV status.

Please repeat the procedure with a new self-test kit and carefully follow the instructions.


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What do the letter “C” & “T” on the HIV self-test stick mean?

The letter “C” on the spatula means “control”. A line should appear next to the letter “C” if you have followed the instructions carefully and waited 20 – 40 minutes after placing your self-test kit stick in the tube. This line means that your test is working. If NO line appears next to the letter “C”, it means that your test is not working, and you will need to obtain a new one.

The letter “T” on the spatula means “test”. A line next to the letter “T”, even if the line is weak, and a line next to the letter “C”, means that you have a reactive result and that you may have HIV. You will need a second test to confirm your result. A “T” line, even if the line is weak, and no “C” line means that the test is invalid, and you need to be retested.

If you have a reactive result, you will need a second test to confirm your result. You will need to get in touch with a health provider to assist you.


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My test result was positive. Can someone get HIV by touching, licking, or other contacts with the saliva on the test kit stick or the test tube or liquid?

Medical experts agree that HIV does not survive well outside the body. This means that the risk of environmental transmission (spread) is remote. Therefore, if someone comes into direct contact with your self-test stick, there is extremely little risk of transmitting HIV to them. Contact with saliva has never been shown to result in the transmission of HIV.  However, with a positive test result, you will need a second test to confirm your HIV status. Until your result is confirmed, be sure to take extra precautions to avoid any chance of spreading HIV. Generally, it will be helpful to avoid all sexual activities until you know your HIV status.


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I mistakenly/accidentally removed the test kit stick (or it fell out) from the vial early (before 20 minutes). Will my results be valid?

If you removed the test kit stick, or it fell out, at any point after you placed it in the test tube, the result of the test is not valid even if you immediately replaced the test kit stick. The test kit stick must remain in the test tube for at least 20 minutes as shown in the instructions.

Therefore, do not consider your result an accurate indication of your HIV status. You can dispose of the test kit, reorder a new test kit, and carefully follow the handling and testing instructions on how to properly use the kit.


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There is a small pouch of absorbent material inside the package that contains the test kit. Should I do anything with it?

The small pouch inside the self-test package is designed to prevent moisture from affecting the test kit during storage. It is not used when performing the test and you may discard it in the trash.


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I wear braces. Can I still use the HIV self-test kit?

It is safe to use the HIV self-test kit if you wear braces or retainers.


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Will other non-HIV medications e.g., antibiotics, etc. affect my results

To date, there is no evidence that the use of antibiotics or other medication (other than antiretrovirals) may affect the test results. Please proceed with the test.


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Can I use the HIV self-test kit on my child?

The HIV self-test kit is intended for use by individuals’ ages 12 and older. It is not for use in children under 12 years of age. If your child is younger than 12 years of age, and you are concerned that your child may have HIV, kindly talk with a health provider.


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I am on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), can I use an HIV self-test kit?

Yes, a person on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV can use the self-test kit in testing for HIV


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Can the HIV self-test be offered to partners/peers?

Offering a self-test kit and encouraging a sexual partner, peer, or friend, to take an HIV self-test is often an excellent way to help people learn their HIV status. But it is still important not to force or coerce them. The decision to take an HIV test should remain personal and voluntary.


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What can cause false positives when using the HIV self- test kit?

A false positive is when an HIV test shows that a person is HIV positive when they are not.

The conditions that can lead to a false positive HIV test are as follows:

  • Not following the instructions on how to use the self-test kit carefully,
  • Incorrectly reading the test as reactive
  • Not waiting for 15 minutes after eating or drinking, or 30 minutes after using oral hygiene products, before taking the test

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What are the benefits of using rapid oral HIV self-tests?

Rapid HIV tests that use oral fluid are safe and accurate, and they provide rapid results. They are an alternative to conventional HIV testing.  The HIV self-test (OraQuick) also offers advantages such as convenience and privacy.


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What is the (OraQuick) HIV self-test?

The HIV self-test (OraQuick) should only be used for HIV testing and should not be used for any other purpose such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or other infection.


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