More older people seeking anonymous HIV testing: report
Posted: 26 July 2007 1808 hrs

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SINGAPORE: More older people are seeking anonymous HIV testing at clinics here - a departure from common perception that only the younger and better-educated seek verification.

This is according to findings reported on HIV testing at a conference for General Practitioners on Thursday.

The rapid HIV test kit by Singapore-based biotech company Rockeby Biomed was approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH) last May.

It uses one's saliva, and promises anonymity... so only you and your doctor know the results.

Perhaps this was what attracted close to 700 people to come forward since the test kit was tried out at two GP clinics a year ago.

Most are single, heterosexual and more than half are professionals or managers.

Nine in 10 are below 40 years old.

But the number of those above 40 has almost doubled in the past few months.

Dr Chua Thiam Eng, General Practitioner, Cambridge Clinic, said: "One or two of these elderly gentlemen who come in... usually they go to Batam. Not many of them, but the good thing is we're seeing them already - one or two, compared to when we first started. It's all those educated professionals who are well-informed."

Doctors say more should be done to educate the public, especially blue collar workers.

But at least anonymous testing is off to a good start.

So far, the pilot programme has picked up eight positives, almost twice the 0.5 per cent detection in general population blood sampling.

Dr Tan Sze Wee, CEO, Rockeby Biomed, said: "This group of patients who came forward for HIV testing would probably be the high risk group. And as you can see, if you have a good programme there, they definitely do come forward.

"I think this is probably a very good programme for them to be tested early. What's most important at the end of the day is reducing the barriers of testing."

The MOH says it is planning to allow the use of rapid HIV test kits at all medical clinics, and may also introduce them in non-clinical locations. - CNA/yy