Most people assume HIV testing involves blood.\u00a0 While blood is the most commonly used, saliva is an alternative\u00a0specimen to test and diagnose HIV in adults and adolescents.\u00a0 Benefits of saliva-based testing include the ease of collecting samples and increased acceptability of HIV testing.\u00a0 One example of a saliva-based test is OraQuick, a device used to collect and rapidly test saliva.<\/p>\n
Saliva-based testing has produced very good results in adults; however, very few studies have evaluated this method among children Considering the ease of collecting saliva compared to drawing blood using a finger prick (ouch!), saliva-based testing is a good alternative for this population in need of early HIV testing, diagnosis, and care.<\/p>\n
Last week, Global WACh and the University of Nairobi launched a new study to address this need. \u00a0Led by Post-Doctoral Fellows, Drs. Anjuli Wagner and Irene Njuguna<\/strong>, the Saliva Testing and Video Information to Expand Uptake of Pediatric Testing (STEP-UP) <\/strong>project aims to validate the OraQuick test in children ages 18 months to 12 years old.\u00a0 The project will also develop and evaluate the effectiveness of video pre-test information session prior to HIV testing.\u00a0 Both strategies aim to increase pediatric HIV testing in outpatient clinics in Kenya, where high patient volumes make it difficult for healthcare staff to offer adequate HIV counseling to every client.<\/p>\n The STEP-UP study team completed a training to learn about OraQuick and how to perform the test.\u00a0 The team had a great time participating in team building exercises, practicing collecting saliva from one another, and ending the training with a team dinner.<\/p>\n The study team will start recruiting participants this month in multiple clinics in Kisumu, Siaya, and Homa Bay counties in Kenya.\u00a0 They hope to test 1,050 children for HIV and the HIV video consultation in 150 participants. \u00a0The team will also include a series of focus group discussion about patient and health care workers\u2019 perceptions about using the OraQuick test and video consultation.\u00a0 The STEP-UP project is anticipated to end in August 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most people assume HIV testing involves blood.\u00a0 While blood is the most commonly used, saliva is an alternative\u00a0specimen to test and diagnose HIV in adults and adolescents.\u00a0 Benefits of saliva-based testing include the ease of collecting samples and increased acceptability of HIV testing.\u00a0 One example of a saliva-based test is OraQuick, a device used to…<\/p>\n