DId you know? You can test for HIV in your own home.
DId you know that the 91探花 Health and Wellness Centre is a distribution site for HIV self-test kits? We have partnered with Reach Nexus, developers of the "I'm Ready to Know" campaign or "I'm Ready".
Established in June 2021, I鈥檓 Ready is a national program that is implementing and evaluating low-barrier options for access to HIV self-testing. The goal is to reach the undiagnosed and give people choices about how to connect to the care they need. The program is an integrated and online technology platform that allows clients to access up to three free HIV Self-Test Kits (HIVST kits), to learn about HIV self-testing initiative and to get support before, during and after testing. This fully integrated solution allows clients to access resources and support either through a website or a mobile app. The website directs clients to download the mobile app to arrange for delivery of the HIV self-test kit or pick up at one of many community-based organizations. Once received, the app guides clients through the self-test administration, survey completion and uploading of test results. At any time while using the mobile app, the client can choose connect to a peer navigator (live person) through a scheduled appointment using a secure telehealth platform.
鈥� If someone wants to 鈥渒now my status鈥�, they can: 鈥� Download the I鈥檓 Ready, Test app, register for the program and complete a survey 鈥� Order up to 3 free HIV self-testing kits for either delivery or pick up 鈥� Upload your results 鈥� Once they have the kit(s), they can use the app to test on their own and get more information about HIV care and prevention 鈥� Along the way, they will answer survey questions through the app 鈥� Can book time with a peer navigator for support with testing and connection to care at any point before, during or after they take the test.
In summary, download the I'm Ready app (apple app or google play) and register. Come to the 91探花 Health and Wellness Centre and pick up 3 kits. Take the kits to a location of your choosing and complete the test. Log into the app for support before, during and after your test. Your results are known only to you and if you choose to tell someone. If your test is positive, you will need a confirmatory blood test and that can be arranged at the 91探花 Health and Wellness Centre.
