Worldwide, at least 40% of people with the HIV virus, in other words 14 million people, are unaware that they have the virus in their body, reported the World Health Organization (WHO) this Tuesday (29).
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One of the reasons is the difficulty that exists in some places in accessing diagnosis, a situation that the entity highlighted on the occasion of World AIDS Day, December 1st. Recent data reveal that more than 18 million people with the virus currently do not have access to antiretroviral treatments and 14 million of them do not know they have HIV – 143 thousand in Brazil, according to Anvisa -.
"Millions of people who have HIV do not benefit from essential treatment, which can also prevent them from transmitting the virus to others," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan.
Faced with this situation, the organization decided to encourage self-testing, which can be done with a little saliva or by pricking the tip of the finger with a needle. This allows the person to know their result privately, in a comfortable place, with a report that is ready in 20 minutes. If the test is positive, the WHO advises the person to look for a hospital for professional confirmation and where it will also be possible to receive guidance and treatment.
"Self-diagnosis is a way to reach more people, offering them the opportunity to take the necessary measures before they become ill," said Margaret.
The organization considers that the self-testing approach is particularly important in places where there are difficulties in accessing the common screening service.
In the last ten years, the total number of people who learned they had HIV rose from 12% to 40% worldwide. One of the most positive consequences was that eight out of every ten people diagnosed receive antiretroviral treatment.
The diagnosis of HIV depends in some cases on the population group to which one belongs and in general it is more common for women to be diagnosed – and, consequently, to receive treatment – than men. According to the WHO, only 30% of people who have undergone a diagnostic test are male.
Diagnosis rates are also low among men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, injecting drug users and prisoners. In fact, these groups represent 44% of the 1,9 million new HIV infections that occur annually.
One of the biggest advantages observed is that self-tests have practically doubled the number of women who undergo a diagnostic exam.
