Why Young People Opt For HIV Self Testing Kits

In the recent past, governments, World Health Organization (WHO) and  a few  non governmental organizations (NGO'S)  have held campaigns promoting HIV self-testing. This is aimed at reducing stigma and creating awareness of the deadly disease infecting many people. African continent and more specifically the Kenyan community has for long stigmatized HIV infected individuals. Some communities up to now still  associate HIV with witchcraft or bad omen.

To counter these challenges, more awareness and community seminars have been conducted in various parts of the country in a view of awakening sleepy communities to this unfortunate reality.

According to pharmacist Nick Omanwa, many young people are buying contraceptives pills a sign that  people are engaging in unprotected sex.

Here are some of the reasons why young people fear to be tested by health workers:

1.Stigma

Sussan Gitonga a student says that the faithful but lonely walk to the VCT centers and face to face engagement with health workers is so draining. The queue experienced and the unfortunate walk after your doctor  confirms your positive status  is highly stigmatizing. A good percentage of people cannot withstand such tension. In some cases, many young peeople are concerned about being tested at local health centers where they could easily be identified by hospital staff.

2.Fear

What you dont know cannot hurt you! Many fear to know their HIV status as one question lingers in their mind after knowing your status; what next? Most young people believe that being HIV positive is easily  the end of their lives.

3.Confidentiality

Can you trust your HIV status with health workers and the  country’s health management? Many young people fear that their HIV status will be shared to their relatives. They don’t trust health workers with their private information. With such fear young people are opting for self-testing.