Teen-Testers – New Innovative Initiative

Dr. John Chittick, TA-PC Executive Director, announced on May 31, 2012 that TA-PC would lead the national campaign to promote home HIV testing for youth. A recognized international expert in the field, Chittick is a former Harvard lecturer who has devoted the last 20 years to the cause of youth HIV prevention.  He is a volunteer who has visited 86 countries on his Global AIDS Walks.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on June 26, 2012 that OraSure Technologies of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania won final permission to proceed with sales of “OraQuick”, the first over the counter HIV testing (see New York Times article of July 3). U.S. consumers do not need to have a doctor’s prescription to buy a kit – or go to an AIDS Clinic for a test.

“Teen-Testers” is an innovative model for young people to spread the word to their peers that private testing is available at home.  This is important because of the stigma attached to traditional AIDS testing among youth and the fear of going to a hospital or AIDS clinics for testing by adults.  Dr. Chittick’s extensive focus groups clearly show teens want to be tested away from public view.

Oral swab (saliva) testing is very easy to do with results in about 20 or so minutes.  Traditional testing is done by medical personnel using needles taking blood samples with results in 10 days.  The anxiety of waiting that long is detrimental to teens.

Dr. Chittick said, “Teen HIV/AIDS is spreading exponentially — making adolescent youth one of the fastest growing groups at risk.   Despite years of well-funded prevention programs, more teens are becoming infected with HIV than every before. It is absolutely necessary that sexually active youth understand they must know their status before they pass HIV on to other unsuspecting partners — or else many innocent youth will have their lives shortened prematurely.”

Dr. Chittick is personally training young people to be Teen-Testers. They are empowered to take to the streets and also utilize social media like Facebook, Twitter and texting to tell their generation that they are at real risk. Because of the stigma, most youth feel that is associated with AIDS and HIV testing, the vast majority have never been tested. Dr. Chittick says, “Even the best government statistics are not accurate, they are guesstimates only.  Perhaps 90% of teens have never been tested even once, although we know that the majority are sexually active by age 16.  The CDC has advised family physicians to test teens annually starting at age 13 and up. This is not being done.”

The OraQuick test kits come with directions about HIV and telephone numbers to call in the case of an HIV-positive result. Trained counselors will offer advice. Teen-Testers will be offering counseling as well, including directly with Dr. Chittick by phone and email.  TA-PC is publicizing the home test kits on nationally televised PSAs and the website: teenaids.org.

 

 

Problem

Dr. Chittick is very concerned about the cost of home test kits.  They are expected to go on sale for $59, a price too steep for many teens.

“We need to encourage OraSure to make the cost per kit more affordable.  Teen-Testers has launched a social media campaign to request a lower price.  Initially, OraSure was thinking of charging $29 to $39 but opted to go for greater profits.  Because they have a monopoly on the market at this time, youth will suffer.  We need to urge the FDA to move quickly to approve other companies’ home test products,” Dr. Chittick stated.

TA-PC is launching an online petition drive to urge the FDA to rescind its policy that teens under 17 cannot buy the HIV home test kit.

“Why is this restriction even necessary?  If 16 year-olds want to buy a home test kit, let them.  Learning their status is their human right,” said Chittick. “When they can drive a car, they can choose to test their own bodies.  We want to encourage more testing, not prevent it.”

Solution

Teen-Testers conducted the first-in-the-nation HIV testing for youth in a public venue on June 8.  It was held at a Sonic Drive-In along a busy thoroughfare in Norfolk, Virginia. Two testing vans participated. One from the City of Norfolk offered free HIV testing by needle and EVAN (Eastern Virginia AIDS Network) tested using the oral swab method.  Thirty summer interns helped plan the event that included music, a car wash and bake sale.  A video was made of the event and posted to YouTube for other groups to replicate.

A month later, an AIDS Attack was held on the urban campus of a community college.  Almost no one was aware that home test kits were going to be put on sale in the fall.

On August 10, another event was held at a large park that featured sports events, lunch and free oral swab testing.

Teen-Testers is planning a major Hop-Off dance competition in mid-November for 500 youth where free oral swab testing will be available.