How accurate is the iDiagnostics home-test-kit?
• 12. Why provide rapid HIV testing? Approximately 2.1 million HIV tests are conducted annually in publicly funded counseling, testing, and referral (CTR) programs. However, many persons do not return for the results of conventional tests: 30% of persons who tested HIV-positive during 2000 and 39% of persons who tested HIV-negative did not return. Almost all clients receive their rapid HIV test results because results can be provided immediately. • 13. How do rapid HIV tests compare with standard HIV Enzyme Immunoassays (EIAs)? Clinical studies have demonstrated that the sensitivity and the specificity of rapid HIV tests are comparable to those of standard tests often used for screening. The negative predictive value of a screening test is high at the HIV prevalence observed in most U.S. testing settings. Therefore, a client with a negative rapid HIV test result can be told he or she is not infected. However, because HIV antibodies take time to develop, retesting should be recommended
