A study of Victoria’s trial delivery of rapid HIV testing, which allows clients to receive results during the same medical appointment as their test, has shown that gay men overwhelmingly prefer the rapid testing option. 47% of clients at Melbourne’s PRONTO clinic said they were “very likely” to utilise the rapid testing service, while a further 36% of respondents indicated that they were “likely” to attend the service.

Meanwhile another study, conducted by Dr Damian Conway of the Kirby Institute, has shown that men getting testing for HIV through traditional clinical testing would prefer it if they could receive their negative HIV results through services like SMS rather than attend a second medical appointment.

The study involved men in Western Australia where rapid testing is not currently offered. Overwhelming clients indicated that technology may able to be implemented that reduces the need for a second appointment.

OIP Staff, image: Stock Image/YayMicro/Wavebreakmedia